Understanding Inlays and Onlays:

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used to repair and strengthen teeth that have been damaged by decay or other forms of damage. They are conservative alternatives to full dental crowns, preserving more of the natural tooth structure while providing durable and long-lasting solutions.

Inlays:

Inlays are custom-made fillings used to repair moderately damaged or decayed teeth, particularly on the chewing surfaces (cusps) of molars and premolars. They are fabricated outside the mouth using materials such as porcelain, composite resin, or gold, and then bonded securely into place by a dentist.

Onlays:

Onlays, sometimes referred to as partial crowns, are similar to inlays but provide more extensive coverage and are used to repair larger areas of damage or decay. They can cover one or more cusps of a tooth, extending over the biting surface and sometimes down the sides of the tooth.