Inlays
Inlays are restorations usually placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
An inlay fits within the confines of the teeth. An onlay covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth. The inlay can be made of either porcelain or gold, whereas an onlay will be made of either plastic resin or porcelain.
The procedure involves removing decayed tooth structure or old fillings, preparing the tooth cavity, taking an impression of the cavity to fabricate a custom-fit inlay or onlay. Two visits are required to complete the treatment.
Inlays and Onlays are used less often in recent years owing to the improved strength and durability of modern composite filling materials.