Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and Onlays in St. Albert

Inlays and onlays are used to fix decayed or damaged teeth. Unlike dental fillings that fill small cavities in the teeth, inlays and onlays are pre-fabricated in the dental lab and used to restore teeth where a larger portion of the tooth is damaged.

What Is the Difference Between an Inlay and Onlay?

Inlays are used to repair teeth where the damage occurs between two cusps. An onlay is used to fix the cusp of the tooth. To repair the tooth, your dentist will take a mould of your teeth and send it to the dental lab, where they create the inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are also colour-matched, so they blend perfectly with your natural teeth.

Do I Need an Onlay or a Crown?

Depending on the level of damage or decay in the tooth, your dentist will choose to fit either an onlay or a dental crown. Dental crowns are ideal when a large portion of the tooth is affected, including two or more cusps. Where the damage is minimal, and only one cusp is damaged, an onlay is likely a more suitable choice.