What are Onlays and Inlays?

Monday, 15 June 2015 00:28

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A majority of dental patients are familiar with the terminology used in our practice – especially for the most common dental procedures and devices such as dental fillings or dentures. However, we are repeatedly asked questions regarding the use of onlays and inlays.

Onlays and inlays are indirect dental fillings that are made of solid material such as composit resin or ceramic. They can be shaped and molded by your dentist and are used to restore large spaces left behind by cavities. The difference between an inlay and an onlay lies in the coverage that it provides to your tooth. An inlay is similar to a filling where an onlay is similar to a dental crown.

Inlays are placed on top of your teeth but then work to fill in the grooves and crevices of your teeth and in the spaces between them. An onlay extends widely over the chewing surface of a tooth and is used to reinforce the existing enamel. Onlays are great alternatives for patients that are not quite ready for a dental crown but need more coverage than a traditional filling provides.

Click here to download information about your Palm Beach Gardens Onlays & Inlays with Dr’s Lerner and Lemongello.