Inlays are made from hard wearing materials such as porcelain or composite resin. If aesthetics are not an issue, gold is a hardwearing choice. Unlike fillings, they are produced outside the mouth in a dental laboratory and then fitted to the tooth by the dentist. An inlay is cemented within the cavity and an onlay covers more of the tooth and extends over the edges.
Inlays and onlays are very stable restorations that will fit a damaged tooth perfectly to provide superior protection. The affected tooth requires minimal preparation and the inlay or onlay is tailored to fit so they can be easier to keep clean than other restorations.