Why should I get an inlay or onlay instead of a tooth colored filling?
An inlay is a laboratory fabricated filling which is bonded into a cavity to restore the tooth. It may be made out of gold, ceramic or reinforced composite. These restorations fit better and last longer than regular fillings. An onlay is an inlay that is extended to also cover the cusps of the tooth. There are some cases when there is insufficient tooth structure left to sustain a regular filling or inlay and would benefit from the extra reinforcement that an onlay provides. When there are large cavities leaving the tooth weakened, the best and most conservative restoration is an onlay. An onlay restores function and strength of the tooth better than a conventional filling and reduces the need for replacement in the future.
