Dental Inlays & Onlays in Hamilton, NJ

Dental Inlays in Hamilton, NJ

To understand an inlay, picture the chewing surface of your back teeth (premolars and molars). You will notice bumps (cusps) and valleys (grooves). A dental inlay is designed to fit snugly inside those valleys, effectively filling the space between the cusps without covering the bumps themselves. If you have a cavity that has grown too large for a standard composite filling, a dental inlay may be the ideal solution. 

How Inlays Compare to Dental Fillings

Standard fillings are applied as a putty-like material that is hardened inside the mouth. While effective for small cavities, fillings can weaken a tooth if the cavity is large because the material does not strengthen the tooth structure; it merely fills a hole.

In contrast, dental inlays are solid, custom-made restorations fabricated in a laboratory. They are typically made from durable porcelain or composite resin that perfectly matches the color of your natural teeth. Because they are bonded into place as a single, solid piece, inlays can actually strengthen the tooth by holding it together.

When Our Hamilton Dentists May Recommend an Inlay

You may be a good candidate for an inlay if:

• You have moderate decay on the chewing surface of your back teeth.
• A portion of your tooth has worn away, but the structure is still strong.
• You want a restoration that matches the color of your natural teeth.
• You prefer a long-lasting solution that offers more strength than a large filling.

Dental Onlays in Hamilton, NJ

Dental onlays are very similar to inlays, but they cover a larger surface area. You may sometimes hear dental professionals refer to an onlay as a partial crown. This name is quite accurate because an onlay performs the heavy lifting of a crown without requiring the dentist to grind down the entire circumference of the tooth.

How Onlays Compare to Dental Crowns

In the past, if a tooth had a broken cusp or significant decay, the only option was a full crown (cap). Placing a full crown involves removing a significant amount of healthy enamel to make room for the restoration. An onlay, on the other hand, allows dentists to be much more conservative; they only need to remove the damaged tissue and can leave the healthy walls of the tooth alone.

Like inlays, onlays are usually fabricated from high-strength porcelain or ceramic. They are incredibly durable and can withstand the immense pressure of chewing and grinding, making them perfect for back molars. Plus, once bonded to the tooth, an onlay becomes virtually indistinguishable from your natural enamel.

When Our Dentists May Recommend an Onlay

An onlay, or partial crown, is recommended when the damage or decay extends to one or more of the tooth’s cusps (the biting points). If a cusp has fractured off, or if the remaining tooth structure is too weak to support the biting force without cracking, an onlay is used to cover and protect the damaged cusps while keeping the healthy portion of the tooth intact.

The Benefits of Dental Inlays and Onlays

Choosing inlays or onlays over large fillings or full crowns offers numerous advantages for your oral health. In many cases, these restorations:

Preserve More of the Natural Tooth

Unlike full crowns that require substantial reshaping of the tooth, inlays and onlays only replace the portion of the tooth that is damaged. This helps maintain long-term oral health by keeping the natural enamel intact whenever possible.

Offer Exceptional Strength & Durability

Inlays and onlays are made from strong, high-quality materials designed to withstand years of chewing. In fact, they can last significantly longer than traditional fillings, especially in cases of moderate damage.

Provide a Natural, Seamless Appearance

Modern materials allow inlays and onlays to blend beautifully with the surrounding tooth structure. Most people won’t even know you’ve had restorative dental work done.

Reduce the Risk of Future Damage

Because they bond securely to the tooth, dental inlays and onlays from our Hamilton, NJ, offices help reinforce weakened areas. This reduces the likelihood of fractures or additional decay in the future.