Inlays &
Onlays

Dental Inlays and Onlays are a dental treatment that may be recommended to strengthen a fractured tooth, get rid of tooth sensitivity, or to replace an old amalgam (silver metal) filling.  Inlays and Onlays are extremely adaptable and fill needs that fall between dental crowns and fillings, most often being recommended for use with teeth at the back of the mouth.

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Your Colney Hatch dentist will explain the benefits of Inlays and Onlays for your case, but let's look at what they are and what makes one different from the other.

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Inlays and Onlays are normally made of dental grade resin or porcelain, but gold is also used. Think of them as you would a filling, but involving less severe circumstances than those requiring a filling or dental crown. The use of resin or porcelain makes Inlays and Onlays a popular choice for replacing unattractive metal fillings, as the materials can be colour-matched to your existing teeth, making your filling all but invisible.

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Picture one of your back teeth, one that has the appearance of prongs (known as cusps) on the corners and sides, with a "valley" between. An Inlay will be bonded into place in the space between the cusps, while the Onlay will be bonded into place, covering one cusp or more.

Both Inlays and Onlays can strengthen a tooth that has fractured, returning it to full functionality.