Inlay and onlay can be considered as a midway between a filling and a crown. When there isn’t enough tooth structure to support a filling and if the tooth does not need a crown because it is not damaged so much, the inlays and onlays are used.

Inlays and onlays are made of ceramics. The material used, the teeth involved, the forces of chewing and how the patients apply good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist determines the life time of them.

Onlay is more extensive when it is compared with the inlay. Inlay is similar to a filling but it lies within the cusps on the chewing surface of the tooth. Onlay covers one or more cusps.

Inlays and onlays are made in the laboratory and two visits are needed for them. In the first visit, the decay is removed and then an impression of the prepared tooth and neighboring teeth is taken. Then a temporary filling is put in. The impression taken is sent to the laboratory.

The temporary filling is taken out at the second visit. Inlay or onlay is checked and send to the laboratory to be polished. The tooth is cleaned at the same time and bonding agent is used to place the inlay or onlay. After cementing the onlay or inlay the dentist polish it. It is possible to shape it slightly to adjust the bite.