Dental inlays and onlays are a conservative, long-lasting way to restore teeth that have mild to moderate decay, cracks, or fractures — without needing a full dental crown. At Planet Family Dental in Lynnwood, WA, Dr. Megha Sheth uses inlays and onlays to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
✅ Key Takeaway
Dental inlays and onlays are a middle ground between fillings and crowns — ideal for teeth with moderate damage that don't need full coverage. They're custom-made, durable, and preserve more of your natural tooth.
What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?
A dental inlay is a type of restoration placed inside the tooth to fill areas where decay has been removed. Similar to fillings, inlays fit within the grooves of the tooth — but they're custom-crafted in a lab for a precise, durable fit.
Onlays are similar but extend over one or more cusps (the raised points) of the tooth. Dr. Sheth recommends these restorations for teeth that have mild decay, moderate cracks, or fractures that aren't severe enough to require a full crown.
Types of Dental Inlays Available in Lynnwood, WA
At Planet Family Dental, Dr. Sheth offers different types of inlays depending on the tooth's location and your needs:
Inlay
Fits within the tooth without covering any cusps. Best for smaller areas of decay or damage in the chewing surface.
Onlay
Covers at least one cusp but doesn't cover the entire tooth. Ideal for moderate damage that's too large for a filling but doesn't need a full crown.
Overlay
Covers the entire chewing surface of the tooth. Used for more extensive damage while still preserving the tooth's side walls. These restorations are designed to repair endodontically treated teeth or teeth with significant structural loss.
