What are Inlay and Onlay Fillings? What are their advantages?

Inlay and onlay fillings are alternative treatment methods applied when damage to a tooth cannot be treated with standard fillings. While standard fillings are used for smaller tooth decay, inlay-onlay fillings are preferred for advanced tooth decay. These fillings are custom-made in a laboratory after taking measurements of the tooth and conform to the tooth structure.

Inlay and onlay fillings, which aesthetically resemble natural teeth, prevent tooth loss and eliminate tooth damage. Because they are tailored to the patient's oral and dental structure, they are not applied immediately in a single dentist appointment. These fillings undergo a specific preparation process.

Differences Between Inlay and Onlay Fillings:

Inlay and onlay fillings are chosen based on the damage left by tooth decay:

• Inlay Filling: It is a filling method applied for tooth damage that does not involve the cusps. Tooth decay in this case is at a level that can be treated with normal fillings. However, due to its aesthetic appearance and natural compatibility with the tooth, inlay fillings are more commonly preferred, offering advantages over regular filling treatments.
• Onlay Filling: Onlay filling treatment may be preferred between normal filling and crown treatment. In this case, the tooth decay is neither small enough for conventional filling nor large enough to require a crown. Unlike crown treatment, there is no need to reduce the size of the tooth. The patient can comfortably bite and chew with this filling treatment. Onlay fillings are larger in size compared to inlay fillings.

How are Inlay and Onlay Fillings Done?

The process of making inlay and onlay fillings is similar to crown construction, but it is prepared without the need to reduce the size or alter the shape of the tooth. The main goal is to repair the damage while preserving the natural structure of the tooth. The inlay-onlay filling treatment procedure is as follows:

• The area of the tooth where the filling will be applied is numbed with local anesthesia, ensuring the patient feels no pain during the procedure.
• Then, the decay on the tooth is cleaned, similar to traditional filling treatments.
• To prepare the inlay-onlay filling, measurements of the tooth are taken. The measurement is sent to the laboratory for the production of a porcelain filling tailored to the tooth.
• A temporary filling is applied to the tooth during the preparation of the filling to ensure the patient does not feel discomfort.
• After the filling is prepared in the laboratory to match the color and structure of the patient's tooth, permanent fillings are placed on the tooth in the second appointment. In some cases, the treatment can be completed in a single session.

These fillings are anatomically suitable for the tooth structure and can be used for extended periods. They have no difference in aesthetics compared to normal teeth.

Advantages of Inlay-Onlay Fillings:

• Inlay and onlay fillings, made from porcelain, aesthetically blend with natural teeth.
• They remain undamaged for many years when teeth are regularly brushed and flossed. They are long-lasting.
• The likelihood of wear and discoloration is very low.
• They can fill areas that traditional fillings cannot reach, effectively treating damage on the tooth.
• Healthy tooth structure is preserved; only the damaged area is treated.

Inlay-Onlay Filling Prices:

According to the 2023 Oral and Dental Health Examination and Treatment Fee Schedule, the prices for inlay and onlay fillings are as follows: