Because the terms can get confusing,  let’s review the restorations labeled inlays and onlays.  In cosmetic dentistry these can be made of porcelain or composite resin. Generally, they are made in a dental laboratory and offer the finest marginal “fit” of any restoration.

These restorations are used in many situations when a regular filling will be too big, and there is a risk that the tooth will break.  However, we’re trying to avoid drilling down your tooth for a crown; which requires more tooth removal than any other procedure.

These inlays and onlays  can be made from Porcelain or composite resin.  (Also gold, but we are speaking of esthetic restorations in this blog!.  Most of my patients don’t want gold teeth these days, and I can’t say I blame them) Porcelain is best for larger restorations, or cases where the opposing tooth has porcelain to bite against.  Resin inlays/onlays are indicated for small to medium size restorations that bite against natural teeth (or resin).

For me, the resin inlays offer a restoration that has an incredible fit; and they virtually disappear into the remaining tooth structure, often times making it difficult to distinguish them from the adjacent natural tooth. (truly invisible).  They are very easy to carry out, and most often result in zero sensitivity.

As far as I am concerned; there is no better restoration to replace an old amalgam filling, when adequate tooth structure remains.  I have one myself, as  I recently broke an old filling by biting on a sunflower seed!