Inlays and onlays.

Why inlays and onlays

Some teeth are caught in between. The decay or fracture is too large for a simple filling to hold up over time, but the rest of the tooth is healthy enough that wrapping the whole thing in a crown removes far more structure than the situation warrants. Inlays and onlays are the answer for that middle ground.

The restoration is crafted outside the mouth (milled or pressed in porcelain, or in some cases a high-grade composite, at a lab) so the fit, contour, and contact points can be made with precision a chairside filling cannot match.

What to expect

The first appointment prepares the tooth: any decay or damaged structure is removed, the cavity is cleaned, and a digital scan or precise impression is taken. A temporary may be placed while the lab fabricates the inlay or onlay over the following weeks.

The second appointment is the bonding visit. Dr. Lina checks the fit, color match, and bite, makes any micro-adjustments, and bonds the restoration into place. The result reads as part of the tooth and functions like one.

When inlays and onlays are a good fit

These restorations are appropriate when a tooth needs more support than a filling can offer but does not need full crown coverage: typically large old fillings that have failed, fractured cusps, or moderate decay on a back tooth. They preserve healthy structure, distribute force well, and last decades when properly cared for.

Where the underlying tooth is more deeply compromised, a crown is the better answer; Dr. Lina is candid about which is the right tool for the case.