Porcelain inlays and onlays are custom-crafted restorations used to repair damaged teeth. Made from durable, tooth-colored porcelain, they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while offering greater strength than traditional fillings.
These treatments are ideal for repairing teeth that have larger cavities or damage too severe for a regular filling but not serious enough to require a full crown. Porcelain inlays and onlays help restore the tooth’s structure without removing too much of the natural tooth.
When Are Inlays and Onlays Used?
Your dentist might recommend porcelain inlays or onlays for:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large cavities
- Cosmetic enhancement
Inlays vs. Onlays
- Inlays are a great alternative to traditional fillings, especially when the damage is within the tooth.
- Onlays cover larger areas, including chewing surfaces and sometimes act as partial crowns. They’re ideal when one or more cusps (chewing surfaces) are damaged.
Both inlays and onlays are crafted in a dental laboratory for a precise fit and then cemented into place by your dentist.
