Inlays and onlays are tools that a dentist can use to restore a tooth that has suffered decay. They are similar to each other, in that they are both made outside of the mouth and then cemented into place. The primary difference between them is in their size.
Inlays are, essentially, dental fillings. Unlike fillings that are made of a soft amalgam or composite resin substance that is placed into a cleaned out cavity and then hardened, inlays, typically made of porcelain, are formed and hardened outside of the mouth using a mold of the tooth and then cemented into the cavity space. Inlays are preferable for large cavities or for teeth that are otherwise unsound, because, as a filling is hardened, it expands slightly, and any expansion inside the tooth can cause an already weakened tooth to break. An inlay avoids this issue since it is hardened before being placed in the tooth.
Onlays are similar to inlays, except that they are larger and are used to restore teeth with more substantial decay. They cover the top and one or more sides of the tooth. A crown is actually a type of onlay that covers the entire tooth.
For more information about how inlays and onlays are used, contact our West Hollywood cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation.
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