About Inlays & Onlays
The dental restorations such as dental inlays, dental onlays, dental veneers and dental crowns are known as indirect restorations. Dental inlays and dental onlays cover smaller portions of the tooth, such as only the top part of the chewing surface. Inlays cover the smallest portion and may be slightly larger than a filling, while onlays cover at least one cusp of a tooth. Because onlays cover the cusps of teeth they offer better structural support. Inlays and onlays are more conservative procedure than crowns because less tooth structure is drilled away to fit. With dental inlays and onlays the doctor is able to save more of the tooth structure than a crown. Unlike a standard dental filling that is done in a dentist's office, inlays & onlays both are made in a laboratory and cemented or bonded to the surface of the tooth during a second visit to the dentist.

It is since long that inlays and onlays have both been regularly made of gold. With the advent of porcelain, it has now become the material of choice because of its strength and better possibility to match the natural color of tooth. Inlays are generally more durable and far outlast typical dental fillings. They can be fabricated from tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain or gold. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more cusps have been included in the preparation. In other words, decay or trauma has affected the cusps, necessitating their replacement. Onlays may be composed of the same materials as inlays - tooth - colored composite resin, porcelain or gold. They are sometimes also referred to as partial crowns.

Composite Resin Inlays & Onlays
In a situation when cost is important consideration, Composite resin inlays or onlays are also popular today because they are not only cheaper but are kinder to opposing natural dentition than porcelain. Once bonded in place their strength compares with porcelain.

The procedure
The procedure involved in the making of Inlays and onlays are very similar. Both require two trips to the dentist. First, the dentist begins the procedure by numbing the area using a local anesthetic. The decay or damage is removed using a drill, preparing the tooth for its new surface. After all the damage is removed, an impression is made of the prepared tooth so the inlay or onlay material can be cast in a form that will fit the tooth exactly. A temporary restoration is placed on the tooth to protect it until the laboratory makes the new structure and it can be bonded to the tooth. The procedure takes 5-7 days to complete. The dentist will then try in the new restoration to ensure that there is a correct fit that doesn't interfere with your bite. If the fit is good, using special cement or bonding, the inlay or onlay is permanently attached to the tooth. To finish it as a cosmetic dentistry procedure, the general dentist will polish the cemented or bonded structure and tooth.

The pain
Hardly any pain will be experienced as Local anesthesia takes care of it. Residual pain after the preparation or after cementing the structure in place is relatively rare, and can usually be taken care of using over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or acetaminophen.

After the procedure
Generally, a little discomfort with the inlay or onlay can be expected after the procedure. But many people adapt immediately to the new chewing surfaces. Sometimes the tissue around the dental work is sore or the tooth is temporarily sensitive to cold or hot foods. These minor problems should resolve themselves in one or two days.

The long term outcome
Given the proper dental care hygiene, the traditional procedure of Gold inlays and onlays lasts between 10-30 years. To safeguard the tooth structure, chewing on very hard objects should be avoided.

Choosing an Inlay & Onlay Dentist
The Inlay & Onlay procedure can be performed by most general dentists. However, you may be more interested to find a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry procedures to have a full choice of materials. Please check the listing in this section or on cosmetic dentistry section or click on the relevant city of your visit to find the listed dentists offering this service.

Inlays & Onlays Costs
The cost of an inlay or onlay with India dental clinics is likely to vary with the amount of surface involved and the area of the country. Ask the chosen dentist for a quote.

Alternatives
In cases of extensive decay, dental crowns are the only alternative.