Dental Inlays & Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are restorative dentistry options that, like fillings, address tooth damage, but inlays fit inside the tooth’s pits and fissures, while onlays cover one or more cusps, offering more extensive coverage

1、Basic Definitions

Inlay:

Fits within the cusps of a tooth

Used for moderate cavities (too large for fillings, too small for crowns)

Onlay:

Covers one or more cusps (partial crown)

For larger defects while preserving healthy tooth structure

2、Material Options

3、Clinical Considerations

Tooth Preparation:

Requires precise cavity design

Minimal reduction (0.5-2mm)

Rounded internal line angles

Indications:

Large Class II caries

Fractured cusps (onlay)

Endodontically treated teeth

Contraindications:

Severe tooth structure loss

Poor oral hygiene

4、Longevity：

Average lifespan: 10-15 years

Gold lasts longest (20+ years)

Inlay/onlay success depends on case selection, material choice, and precise execution at each clinical step. They represent an excellent middle ground between direct fillings and full crowns when indicated properly.