What are they?

An inlay is made outside the mouth by the laboratory and serves to fill a large hole in the tooth. The material used can be tooth colour porcelain, composite or gold that is used on strong bites on the back of the tooth.

An impression of the tooth is taken once the decay and damaged tooth has been cleared. This records the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it. A temporary inlay will be placed to protect the tooth while the laboratory makes the inlay. On the next visit the inlay will be bonded to the tooth and slight adjustments will be made to the bite if necessary.

An onlay is positioned on the tooth and builds up its shape. The process of making an onlay is the same as the inlay.

The benefits- Inlays and onlays are strong and can last for longer than a filling. They are most suitable for large restorations of the back teeth and to large restorations of the biting surfaces of the front teeth.

A tooth with a large filling (left) before preparation for onlay and a tooth with a slightly smaller filling (right) before preparation for an inlay.		The old fillings have been removed. The tooth on the left has been prepared for an onlay. The tooth on the right has been prepared for an inlay.
The onlay and inlay are prepared on a plaster model of the teeth.		The onlay and inlay have been fitted. The onlay covers more than the inlay.
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