What are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations fabricated outside the mouth (e.g., in a dental laboratory) and then cemented or bonded into place. They are more robust and conservative alternatives when a standard filling may not suffice, but a full crown is not yet required.
- An inlay fits within the cusps (the raised pointed parts) of a molar or premolar, reconstructing the internal chewing surface.
- An onlay extends over one or more cusps of the tooth and may cover a larger portion of the chewing surface; in effect, it is often described as a “partial crown”.
These restorations are chosen when the damage or decay is too extensive for a direct filling but the remaining tooth structure is sufficient to avoid a full crown. They preserve more of the natural tooth structure compared to crowns.