These are indirect fillings fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place.
These are needed when the decay or fracture is so extensive that cannot be restored with composite or amalgam. These are usually made from porcelain, composite, resin (tooth coloured materials) and sometimes even from gold. They can also be used to replace metal fillings.
These are helpful in preventing the eventual tooth loss, besides being stronger, well fitting and longer lasting solution to tooth decay or fracture.
Benefits
- Conservative tooth preparation, so tooth structure is preserved.
- These are aesthetic fillings and not likely to discolour over time.
- Teeth are easier to clean with these restorations.
- If there is a cavity between teeth, inlays are considered better at sealing.
- These are extremely stable restorative solutions for tooth decay.
Inlay Restorations
An inlay restoration is a custom-made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
Onlay Restorations
An onlay restoration is a custom-made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-coloured porcelain. Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.