Definition Of Inlay, Onlay, Overlay Fillings And What Are They Used For?

04 August 2022

What Is Inlay, Onlay, Overlay?

Inlay, onlay and overlay dental fillings, this is a modern method of treating caries, which involves filling the tooth cavity with ceramic fillings.

Inlay, onlay, overlay tab accurately repeats the structure of the damaged part and fully adapts to its contour.

Inlay, onlay and overlay fillings are made using the same technology as veneers and crowns. After the doctor cleans the damaged part of the tooth using special dental instruments, we scan the remaining cavity with a digital scanner. Then a special device prepares a ceramic fillings that matches the color of the patient's natural tooth and exactly replicates the shape of the cavity caused by caries. Inlay, onlay and overlay fillings are distinguished by their strength.

Compared to traditional dental materials, they are more durable, withstand more pressure during chewing and do not change color. Inlay, onlay and overlay fillings, given their durability, are mainly used to fill cavities on back molars.

Inlay 

When the tooth decay area is too bigger for a general dental filling, an inlay will be considered an alternative method. Inlays usually cover the central part of the tooth or the area between the cusps and are positioned within the hard tissues of the tooth. They do not cover the cusps. For this reason, they are shaped to fit perfectly on your teeth, so can prevent leftovers from entering underneath tooth decay areas, creating further decay. 

The material used for inlays usually is porcelain like other dental crowns, so it will be stronger and more durable compared with other composite fillings.  

• Size: small size because it only covers the central point of the treated tooth and does not cover the cusps
• Function: When the patient has severe caries, the cavity is large and spreads on the tooth surface
• Treatment: Dentists will use dental glue to stick the inlay piece to the treatment area. The patient’s natural teeth are less affected by inlay teeth keeping up to 60-70% of natural teeth.

Onlay

When a patient gets a decay of the middle and side of your tooth, an Onlay can be considered a treating method as it may cover one or more cusps of your tooth.

Compared with inlay, Onlay covers more areas, they are positioned inside the deep tissues of the tooth as well as covers part of the biting surface of the tooth. This helps to protect the damaged tooth from a direct chewing load.

• Size: the size is larger than the inlay tooth because it covers the central point of the treated tooth and covers 1 part of the cusps
• Function: When the patient has severe caries spreading to the cusp, or the tooth has a slightly chipped tooth that needs covering
• Treatment: Dentists will use dental glue to stick the piece of onlay tooth to the treatment area. With onlay teeth, patients retain 50-60% of their natural teeth.

Overlay

Overlays cover a much larger portion of the occlusal or biting surface. Though they are often compared to partial crowns, overlays are very different from crowns. The main difference is overlays keep more of the natural tooth structure intact Compared to an inlay, onlay fillings can cover a larger surface of the tooth and prevent further complications.

The onlay insert is placed in the deep tissues of the tooth and covers the part of the tooth surface that is directly involved in the chewing process. The onlay fillings prevent food waste from entering the carious cavity and protects the damaged tooth from chewing.

• Size: the size is almost the same as a complete denture, so dentists often consider the overlay and crown to be the same
• Function: Used to replace severely damaged and chipped cases of natural teeth, and the roots are still in good working order.
• Treatment: Dentists will use dental glue to stick the piece of onlay tooth to the treatment area. Patients will retain about 20-30% of their natural teeth with overlay teeth.

"Blits Dental - Kakhaber Kharebava dental clinic Tbilisi " offers a comfortable environment equipped with modern equipment, adapted to your needs. The doctors of our clinic will provide you with a professional consultation and help you to get the desired result in a short period of time  to enjoy a charming smile.