When fillings become large they can start to look unattractive and often have a shorter life span. More importantly the surrounding tooth can become weak. In these circumstances inlays, onlays and overlays become the best form of treatment.
An inlay is cemented into the tooth whilst an onlay is cemented to cover part or all the chewing surface of your tooth and is usually appropriate to rebuild tooth surfaces damaged by tooth wear whilst an overlay covers the eating surface and usually some or all of the cusps of your teeth.
The procedure is similar to that for a crown.
