If a simple dental filling is no longer sufficient to restore the tooth, your dentist may recommend an inlay or onlay. These are two all-ceramic restoration options that, in a sense, represent a compromise between a filling and a crown.
The inlay or onlay is custom-made in the lab to fit your tooth perfectly and is then inserted into the tooth as a single piece. The procedure is therefore slightly more involved than a simple dental filling. In return, you receive a durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
Our dentists in Zurich would be happy to consult with you in person to determine whether an inlay or onlay is an option for your dental treatment and under what conditions.
What is an inlay?
An inlay is a type of dental restoration—that is, a filling that is placed into the tooth in a single piece. In principle, it can be made from various materials, but today it is typically fabricated from dental ceramic. Dental ceramic has optical properties very similar to those of natural tooth structure. This allows for optimal restoration of the damaged tooth’s appearance.
Inlays are more stable and durable than simple composite fillings. This makes them a good alternative for more severely damaged teeth where a simple filling is no longer sufficient.
What is an onlay?
An onlay is a type of dental restoration also known as a partial crown. A partial crown covers one or more cusps but does not cover the entire tooth, as is the case with a full crown.
Essentially, inlays and onlays differ only in size. While inlays are used for smaller defects on the chewing surfaces and tooth walls, onlays cover larger portions of the tooth crown, including the cusps. Onlays are also typically made of tooth-colored ceramic.
When is an inlay or onlay used?
The dentist always makes the decision between a simple filling, an inlay, a partial crown, or a full crown on a case-by-case basis. In doing so, the dentist considers the size of the defect, the stability of the tooth, and the chewing load. This load is significantly greater in the molar region than in the front teeth, for example, so the dental restoration must be more stable in these areas.
Generally, an onlay or inlay is used in Zurich when a simple composite filling is no longer sufficient to restore the tooth’s stability. By using an inlay or partial crown, a full crown can be avoided, which would result in the loss of tooth structure.
A prerequisite for using an inlay or onlay is that the tooth still has a certain degree of stability. For severely damaged or decayed teeth, a full crown is often the better solution.
How does treatment with an inlay or onlay proceed?
In Zurich, the placement of an inlay or onlay is usually part of a multi-step treatment process. The affected tooth has already been treated and cleared of carious areas beforehand. As part of your dental treatment, your dentist will also discuss with you which restoration options are suitable.
If an inlay or onlay is chosen, the dentist first takes a 3D scan. Based on this digital impression, your restoration is precisely designed and fabricated in the laboratory. Until the restoration is ready, you will receive a temporary restoration.
For the final restoration, the temporary restoration is removed and the finished inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth using a special adhesive. The dentist will then adjust your bite once more and polish your restoration to achieve a seamless transition between the tooth and the restoration.
How long do inlays and onlays last?
A dental ceramic inlay or onlay lasts for many years. The exact lifespan can vary depending on the location, the amount of stress it is subjected to, and the type of ceramic used. Ceramic inlays are generally expected to last at least 10–15 years. In practice, however, properly fitted inlays and onlays are often worn for much longer.
If a partial crown or inlay becomes loose, your dentist can often re-seat it. In the event of loss, damage, or if decay has formed beneath the restoration, we can easily fabricate a replacement here in Zurich.
How much does an inlay or onlay cost?
The cost of an inlay or onlay depends on the complexity of the treatment. Your dentist will discuss the costs with you before treatment begins. We will provide you with a personalized cost estimate that includes all services, including the dental restoration.
FAQ
A conventional dental filling is applied to the tooth in a soft state, shaped, and then hardened. This is referred to as a composite filling.
An inlay, on the other hand, is a type of restoration that is fabricated in the lab from a single piece of material and then inserted into the tooth.
Onlays are not considered dental fillings but are instead known as partial crowns. They cover one or more cusps of a tooth, serving as a compromise between a filling and a full crown.
The goal of dental treatment is to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. However, in order to place an artificial dental crown, a relatively large amount of the tooth’s hard tissue must be removed. In the case of smaller defects, this can often be avoided by using an inlay or onlay. The stability provided by these restorations is comparable to that of a full crown.
Partial crowns and inlays can be made from various materials, such as ceramic, gold, or plastic. We fabricate onlays and inlays in Zurich using dental ceramic. This material is biocompatible, extremely durable, and looks very similar to a natural tooth. This allows us to offer you a high-quality, long-lasting, and safe dental restoration that meets high aesthetic standards.
In Zurich, we use the computer-assisted CEREC 3D process. To create a dental restoration, we take an impression-free scan of your dentition or individual teeth, which is then converted into a 3D model. Based on this model, the restoration is designed and fabricated from a ceramic block.
The process of taking impressions, fabricating, and placing inlays and onlays is completely painless. In general, we place great importance on ensuring that your dental treatment in Zurich is pain-free. Thanks to modern anesthesia techniques and anesthetics, this is now easily achievable even for complex dental procedures.
As a general rule, you should care for your new inlay or onlay just as you would your natural teeth. Be sure to clean between your teeth daily using dental floss or interdental brushes. Regular dental checkups are also recommended. During these visits, hard-to-reach areas are professionally cleaned, and all teeth—including dental restorations—are examined to ensure they are in good condition.