Inlays Onlays | Restorative Dentistry | Dr Battista

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Inlays Onlays is a vital part of Restorative Dentistry. As Dr Battista at Briarcliff Smile Design suggests that our patients prefer the esthetics of white natural looking teeth. What this means to us as dentists is it's a dental work that is undetected and esthetic to the naked eye. With so many advances in restorative dentistry, these dental treatments are now possible. One of these great advances is the advent of esthetic "Inlays Onlays". The main difference between inlays and onlays lies in the extent of the tooth structure they cover and their placement on the tooth.

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What are Inlays Onlays in Restorative Dentistry?

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Inlays:

• Inlays are restorations that are designed to fit within the contours of the tooth's chewing surface (also known as the occlusal surface) and the proximal surfaces (the sides) of the tooth.

• They are typically used when the damage or decay is confined to these specific areas of the tooth and does not extend to the cusps (the pointed parts of the tooth).

• Inlays are often made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. They are custom-made in a dental laboratory based on impressions taken of the patient's tooth.

• An inlay is a resin or ceramic restoration, which is fitted into your tooth. When replacing mercury-containing fillings, the mercury laden filling is removed and our patients have choices:

1. fabricate the inlay in-house and receive placement

2. follow traditional service and return for placement once the fabricated inlay is available

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Onlays:

• Onlays are restorations that cover a larger portion of the tooth than inlays. They not only cover the chewing surface and proximal surfaces but also extend over one or more cusps of the tooth.

• Onlays are used when the damage or decay is more extensive, involving the cusps and a larger portion of the tooth's structure.

• Like inlays, onlays are also custom-made in a dental laboratory from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin.

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