Porcelain fillings-inlay/onlays

An inlay covers only one or two surfaces of the tooth and is used to restore a small amount of decay. An onlay actually covers one or more cusps (the chewing surface of the tooth.) and offers greater protection for moderately fractured teeth

Inlays and onlays are incredibly strong due to the fact that they are fabricated with a porcelain or metal material. This protects the tooth from fracturing and actually strengthens the tooth. In addition, inlays and onlays fit almost perfectly into the prepared surface of the tooth, reducing the size of the seam between the restoration and the tooth. This helps keep decay from eventually occurring under the restoration.

Inlays and onlays require the removal of only decayed and fractured areas of the tooth, leaving more healthy tooth structure intact.