Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are gold, composite, or porcelain materials used to repair moderately damaged or decayed teeth. Dr. Stark uses dental inlays and onlays to restore a tooth that is too damaged to repair with a filling but not damaged enough to need a crown. Dental inlays and onlays save the healthy portion of an injured tooth and provide strength and stability for normal chewing.  

A dental inlay is placed in the center area of the tooth. A dental onlay is placed on the inside and outside areas, or points, of a tooth. Dental inlays and onlays are also called indirect fillings or partial crowns. They are a less aggressive and usually less expensive treatment option than full crowns.

Dr. Stark may recommend a dental inlay or onlay for conditions including:

• Cracked or chipped teeth that cannot be repaired with a dental filling but do not require more extensive procedures to repair, such as a root canal and/or dental crown.
• Tooth decay that occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce an acid that damages the teeth. Dentists can often repair minor to moderate decay with a dental filing.  Moderate to severe or deep decay may require a dental inlay or onlay or crown to save the function of the tooth.