More commonly referred to as Crowns, dental inlays and onlays are used to replace a part of a tooth that had been damaged by decay or other trauma. These procedures use the existing base of the tooth, and fit a porcelain piece in or on the tooth.  An inlay is used when the cusp of the existing tooth is intact, while an onlay is reserved for more extensive damage.

First, the damaged and decayed part of the tooth is removed and a mold is made of the tooth and sent to a lab. There, a restoration tooth made of porcelain, gold, or a composite resin that will fit to the tooth base your doctor prepared. In around two to three weeks your restoration will be ready.  In the meantime, your doctor will install a temporary inlay or onlay on the tooth. When your replacement arrives, your doctor will permanently set it place using dental adhesive. The result will look, feel, and act like your own, natural tooth.