When Dr. Erik Palmberg examines your damaged tooth, he may find that the damage is too extensive to be repaired with a filling but does not require a full dental crown. If this is the case, he may recommend a dental inlay or onlay to repair and restore your tooth and give you back a healthy smile.

Inlays and onlays, sometimes referred to as “partial crowns,” are a conservative dental restoration used to repair damaged or decayed teeth. They are custom-made for your tooth and are typically created using porcelain, composite resin material or gold. Inlays and onlays work to restore your tooth while also preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible and are virtually invisible once placed, giving you a long-lasting and discreet option for your smile.

Inlays and onlays are very similar, with only one significant difference between the two types of treatments. Inlays are used when the damage to your tooth does not reach the cusps, or pointed tips, of the tooth. Onlays are recommended when the damage extends to one or more of the cusps.