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What Is An Inlay And Onlay Filling?

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The teeth in the back of your mouth are often called upon to do a significant amount of chewing and grinding. Deep textures, pits and fissures in the tooth enamel along the occlusal biting surfaces make these teeth more effective for the task at hand. These areas can sometimes trap food particles and plaque, causing tooth decay.  When basic fillings might not be the best option, the following exist to provide restoration, proper morphology and function for posterior teeth:  

Crown – A full coverage restoration that generally covers most of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity.

Onlay – An onlay often spans a large portion of the top of the tooth.  It replaces at least one cusp and ends above the height of contour of a tooth (generally the largest diameter of the tooth).

Inlay – An inlay fits within the anatomical contours of the top of the crown of a natural tooth.  In other words, it does not replace cusps.  It can replace interproximal surfaces but is confined to the top of the tooth, otherwise.

If the cavity is detected and treated early and can avoid needing a crown, Dr. Spear can often repair the tooth with inlay or onlay fillings. The notable difference between these two types of fillings is related to the size and location of the tooth decay.

Inlays are used to repair large cavities that are limited to the top of the biting surface of a back tooth.

Onlays are used to repair a larger area of decay that might extend from the biting surface to the sides of a back tooth.

These fillings are typically made from porcelain-like materials, so they will need to be prepared at an off-site dental lab. This will require a second appointment where we will cement or bond them into place with a strong dental adhesive.

If you suspect that a cavity has formed on one of your back teeth and you’re interested in knowing more about inlay or onlay fillings in Fort Worth, Texas, you should call 817.920.1488 to have it treated and repaired at Brent A. Spear, DDS.