An inlay sits inside the biting surface of a back tooth, within the cusps, filling the area that a large direct filling would otherwise occupy. The difference is that an inlay is fabricated outside the mouth from porcelain, composite or gold and then bonded into place, which gives it better strength, a more precise fit and a more stable contact with the neighbouring tooth.
When an inlay is the right choice
Inlays occupy the middle ground in restorative dentistry. They suit cavities that are too large for a dependable direct filling but where the cusps of the tooth are still sound and do not need covering. Choosing an inlay over a crown in that situation means your dentist at Parkway Dental removes noticeably less healthy tooth structure — and preserved tooth structure is the best predictor of how long a tooth survives.
What to expect
The tooth is numbed and any decay or failing filling is removed. The cavity is then shaped with smooth walls so the inlay can seat precisely. An impression or digital scan is taken and sent to the laboratory, and a temporary restoration protects the tooth in the meantime. At the second appointment the inlay is tried in, the fit and contact points are verified, and it is bonded with resin cement before the bite is adjusted and the margins polished.
Afterwards
Mild sensitivity for a week or two is common and usually settles. Because an inlay is bonded rather than simply packed into place, it reinforces the remaining tooth rather than wedging it apart, which is one reason porcelain and gold inlays routinely last well beyond a decade.
Clean an inlay as you would any tooth. The restoration cannot decay, but the margin where it meets your tooth can, so flossing that contact daily protects your investment.