When a tooth is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough for a crown, inlays and onlays are the perfect middle ground.
They restore strength, function, and beauty—while keeping as much of your natural tooth as possible.
An inlay fits inside the chewing surface of your tooth (between the cusps).
It’s like a puzzle piece that restores the part of the tooth that has been decayed or broken.
An onlay is sometimes called a “partial crown.”
It covers one or more cusps (the pointed parts of your tooth) as well as the chewing surface, giving more protection than an inlay.
- Preparation – The dentist removes the decayed or damaged part of the tooth.
- Impression/Scan – A mold or digital scan of the tooth is taken.
- Fabrication – The inlay/onlay is crafted in a dental lab (or sometimes same-day with CAD/CAM technology).
- Bonding – The piece is permanently cemented onto your tooth for a strong, natural fit.
- Stronger than fillings → won’t wear down as easily
- Less invasive than crowns → preserves more of your natural tooth
- Natural look → made of tooth-colored porcelain or resin
- Long-lasting → can last 10–20 years with proper care
- Brush and floss daily as normal
- Avoid chewing very hard foods (ice, pens, hard candy)
- Keep up with dental checkups to monitor their condition
Inlay 
- Coverage
Fits inside the tooth’s grooves (between cusps) - Best For
Moderate decay or damage inside the tooth surface - Tooth Preservation
Conserves more tooth structure than a crown - Strength
Stronger than a filling - Material
Porcelain, resin, or gold - Look & Feel
Blends naturally with tooth - Longevity
10–20 years with care - Procedure Time
2 visits (prep + placement)
Onlay 
- Coverage
Covers one or more cusps + chewing surface - Best For
Larger damage that includes cusps but doesn’t need full coverage - Tooth Preservation
Conserves more than a crown but covers more than an inlay - Strength
Stronger than an inlay - Material
Porcelain, resin, or gold - Look & Feel
Natural-looking, covers visible cusps - Longevity
10–20 years with care - Procedure Time
2 visits (prep + placement)
Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin. These pieces are bonded to the damaged area of the tooth. An inlay, which is similar to a dental filling is used inside the cusp tips of the tooth. An onlay is a more substantial reconstruction, similar to the inlay but extending out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.
Traditionally, gold has been the material of choice for inlays and onlays. In recent years, however, porcelain has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which can potentially match the natural color of your teeth. Dr. Reis uses porcelain, in order to have the perfect looking smile with a material that blends in.
