Inlays/Onlays

---

Porcelain inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are primarily used to repair teeth that are badly damaged by decay or wear. Both are tooth-colored, virtually undetectable, and alternatives to crowns.

An inlay is primarily used to restore the chewing surfaces of a back tooth (molar, premolar or bicuspid). It fits into the contours (the valleys) of the tooth, between the cusps (peaks), restoring the space that remains after the dentist removes the decay or old filling.

An onlay is similar to an inlay except that one or more cusps is also covered. It may be used to provide greater coverage for a tooth that has lost much of its biting surface when decay damages the surface between teeth. Your dentist may recommend an onlay based on the extent of damage to the tooth.

An actual case by Dr. Alejandro