What are Inlay and Onlay Filling?

Inlay and onlay fillings can be applied in cases where the tooth is too large to be treated with a simple filling or too small to be covered with a crown. It is also known as the treatment method applied in advanced dental caries. It can be used instead of dental fillings. It is easily applied in large material losses in the teeth. The choice of filling material is usually all ceramic and is also called porcelain filling.

Inlay and onlay fillings are fillings that are prepared and produced on the model in the laboratory environment and bonded to the tooth by the dentist. They are made with appropriate materials in teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, allowing the tooth to be restored without further loss of material.

What are the Differences between Inlay and Onlay Filling?

Inlays and onlays differ according to the area they are applied as filling and the size of the caries. The difference between them can be listed as follows:

Inlay Filling: It is applied in tissue losses that do not include the upper parts of the teeth called tubercles. It is produced depending on the structure of the tooth and the size of the decay and is adhered to the inside of the tooth. 

Onley Filling: These fillings, which are applied for cavities on the upper part of the teeth, are usually large. They are produced depending on the structure of the tooth and the size of the decay.

How to do Inlay and Onlay Filling

The main aim during the construction of inlay and onlay fillings is to prevent damage to the natural tooth structure and to protect this structure. The steps before the application of Inlay and Onlay fillings are as follows: 

• An oral and dental examination is performed and decayed teeth in the mouth are detected.
• The area around the decayed tooth is anesthetized to remove the decay. 
• The patient's mouth and teeth are measured and a special model is created in the laboratory environment. 
• Depending on the special model produced for the tooth, the filling is selected and the fillings begin to be prepared.
• Temporary filling is applied to the patient until the fillings are prepared.

Advantages of Inlay and Onlay Filling

The advantages of inlay and onlay filling can be listed as follows:

• It is prepared and produced on the model in the laboratory environment and is compatible with the teeth.
• Their contact with the side teeth is very good, their durability is high.
• The risk of discoloration is low and they are aesthetic. 
• Only the damaged part of the tooth is treated and the natural tooth tissue is preserved. 
• Because it completely envelops the tooth, the possibility of caries is very low.
• Compared to other fillers, hard-to-reach parts can be reached more easily and effective results are obtained. 

How to Place Inlay Onlay Porcelain Fillings

Some procedures are performed before inlay and onlay fillings are applied. The dentist specialist performs an oral and dental examination on the patient before the procedure. During the examination, the decayed parts of the teeth are cleaned by numbing around the decayed teeth. A special model is created in the laboratory environment by taking mouth and tooth measurements from the patient. 

The type of filling to be prepared is determined on this model. Patients are given temporary fillings until the production of the fillings is completed, then the patient is given inlay or onlay porcelain fillings. In inlay and onlay porcelain fillings, it is important to preserve the natural tooth structure and provide an aesthetic appearance.