Dental Inlays and Onlays

A Conservative Approach to Tooth Restoration

Dental inlays and onlays offer a more conservative solution than full crowns when you need to repair a back tooth with mild to moderate decay or a crack. These custom restorations preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible while providing lasting strength and a beautiful, natural appearance.

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

Think of inlays and onlays as precision-crafted puzzle pieces that fit perfectly into your tooth. We create them from porcelain, composite resin, or sometimes gold to match your tooth's exact shape and color.

Inlays are bonded to the center of your tooth—the area between the cusps (the raised points on your tooth's chewing surface).

Onlays extend further, covering one or more cusps when more extensive repair is needed.

Both options sit between a traditional filling and a full crown, giving us the flexibility to restore your tooth while keeping as much healthy structure as possible.

The Process: What to Expect

We typically complete inlay and onlay placement in two comfortable visits to our West New York office.

First Visit: We'll carefully prepare your tooth and take a detailed impression. This impression goes to our trusted dental lab, where skilled technicians craft your permanent restoration. Before you leave, we'll place a temporary inlay or onlay to protect your tooth.

Second Visit: Once your custom restoration arrives from the lab, we'll remove the temporary material and bond your permanent inlay or onlay into place. The fit will be precise and comfortable.

Why Choose Inlays and Onlays?

These restorations offer significant advantages over traditional metal fillings and are often a better choice than crowns when appropriate for your situation. They're durable, natural-looking, and designed to last for decades with proper care.