An inlay is a restorative treatment for cracked or broken teeth when a filling does not suffice. Inlays are used for tooth that is not too damaged to require crowns.

An inlay is made of porcelain, gold, or composite resins. An inlay is typically applied to the chewing are of the tooth.

Onlays are a type of inlays that cover more than one tooth. Onlays are spread over the chewing surface of multiple teeth.

Inlays and onlays are of two types:

• Direct inlays/onlays

• Indirect inlays/onlays

The direct inlay/onlay is fixed directly in the tooth. It is then taken out and hardened and then fixed again. The indirect inlay/onlay is prepared in stages: first a mould is prepared by using a soft material on the tooth; next, the mould helps prepare the actual inlay/onlay in the laboratory. The patient is given temporary filling while the inlay/onlay is being made.

First, the area around the tooth is numbed using an anesthesia. Then, depending on whether a direct inlay/onlay is required or an indirect inlay/onlay, the treatment is done. Your dentist will guide you to the kind of inlay/onlay you will need.

Typically, it requires two visits for the treatment. However, with technological advancements, it is possible to fix a direct inlay/onlay in a single visit.

Happy smiling!

Tags: inlays, outlays