Composite Dental Veneers good to restore small damage of tooth surface

What are composite inlays and onlays?

A composite inlay/onlay is similar to other types of indirect fillings apart from the material used to treat a cavity or damaged tooth. This material is a composite resin which is white in appearance and enables the inlay/onlay to match the rest of your teeth.

Composite resin is an acceptable choice of material for an inlay or onlay, for people who tend to grind their teeth or have malocclusion (misaligned jaw which causes problems with their bite).

Composite inlays and onlays are a good choice for people with tooth decay which is too far advanced for a filling but not serious enough for a crown.

Composite inlays and onlays

This is an alternative to gold or all ceramic inlays. They still perform the same function, namely that of treating a damaged or decayed tooth and are considered a stronger and more appealing option than a normal filling.

It is easy to become confused by composite (white) fillings and composite inlays and onlays so here is a way of distinguishing between the two.

Direct composite (white) filling

The composite white filling (also known as a direct white filling) is similar to your standard type of filling, for example the amalgam filling. Except that it is white in colour instead of the usual silver grey colour.

This is completed in one visit and all within the dentist’s surgery.

Direct composite (white) filling are discussed in more detail in a separate section.

Indirect composite inlay

The composite inlay is similar in appearance to the composite filling except that it is larger and covers more of the surface of the tooth.

This is completed in two visits and the composite inlay itself is produced in a dental laboratory.

We hope this explains the difference between the two.

An inlay is an indirect restoration consisting of a solid substance (as gold, porcelain or composite resin) fitted to a cavity in a tooth and cemented into place. Unlike gold and porcelain, composite inlays are attached inside cavities with the bonding technique.

dental composite inlays on the dental cast

Although composite inlays are better held in place because of the bonding technique, they are inferior to gold and porcelain inlays in strength, durability and life span.