In short
What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?
An inlay fills damage that lies between the cusps (high points) of a back tooth, while an onlay is used when the damage spans over a cusp but a full crown isn't needed. Each is a single, solid piece of tooth-colored porcelain made to fit the exact shape of the tooth and cemented into place. They repair decay or fractures too large for a normal filling.
- Inlay
- Damage between the cusps
- Onlay
- Damage over a cusp, short of a full crown
- Material
- A single solid piece of tooth-colored porcelain
From the office of Dr. Angela Berkovich, DMD, Deerfield Beach · (954) 427-3000
Inlays & Onlays in Deerfield Beach, FL
Inlays and overlays are utilized by our dentists to fill and repair the natural tooth. Both are made of high-quality, tooth-colored porcelain that is made to last. Depending on where the damage is located, the location dictates where an inlay or onlay is to be used.
Your back teeth have cusps (high points), and if the large cavity or damage lies between the cusps, an inlay is used to fill the space left after drilling out the bad tooth material. An onlay is used when the damage spans over a cusp of the tooth, but it’s not quite a full crown. Each is fabricated as a single, solid piece of porcelain that fits the exact shape of the tooth and is cemented into place.
Whether you need extensive cavity repair, the rebuilding of a cracked or chipped tooth, increased chewing strength, or just general buildup from grinding, inlays and onlays are the right choices.
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