{"id":234,"date":"2024-03-19T16:09:14","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T16:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/?p=234"},"modified":"2024-08-23T17:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T17:23:53","slug":"inlays-vs-onlays-vs-crowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/inlays-vs-onlays-vs-crowns\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Inlays vs Dental Onlays vs Dental Crowns"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u200b\u200bIf you\u2019ve gone to the dentist to fix any symptom you\u2019re feeling with your teeth, you\u2019ve probably heard them recommend a lot of different things \u2014 a filling, an inlay, an onlay, a crown, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To people who aren\u2019t in the dental field, it\u2019s easy to get these three treatments confused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And since we don\u2019t want you to be left in the dark about which is which, we decided to write this guide to clear things up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental inlay vs dental onlay vs dental crown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dental onlays<\/a>, inlays, and crowns are all restorations that are used to repair damage, decay, and cracks. However, while a dental crown covers the tooth\u2019s surface, a dental onlay only covers the cusp, which is the elevated part of the tooth, and dental inlays only cover the space between the cups. Because of this, inlays and onlays are more conservative than crowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both a dental crown and dental onlay serve the purpose of stopping further damage and saving a tooth. They are all typically made from porcelain, composite resin, ceramic, zirconia, or metal material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Procedures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The procedures involved in getting inlays, onlays, and crowns are fairly similar. The main difference is in the amount of decay your dentist removes and what the dental lab creates. For you, the procedure is the same!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the typical steps in getting an inlay, onlay, and crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Initial examination \u2014 Your dentist will examine the tooth in question and confirm what the appropriate treatment is, whether that be an inlay, onlay, or crown.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Preparation of your tooth \u2014 Your dentist will remove the decay from your natural tooth to prepare the tooth for the restoration. There are times when a root canal is also needed to remove bacteria from inside the tooth. And while <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Dental impressions \u2014 Your dental team will then take impressions of your tooth and send them to a dental lab where the technician will create your custom inlay, onlay, or crown<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Temporary replacement \u2014 As the dental lab will usually take a couple of weeks to create the restoration; your dentist will give you a temporary one while you wait.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Final placement \u2014 Once your dentist has received your restoration from the dental lab, they will attach it to your tooth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How long do they last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The lifespan of a dental crown, dental inlay, and dental onlay varies depending on factors like if you grind your teeth, your oral hygiene, and the material used. On average, though, they typically last between 5 to 15 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How much do they cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The cost of treatment also varies, but, in general, crowns will be the most expensive, followed by onlays, then inlays simply because of the size of the restoration. There are many other factors that contribute to the total cost of each procedure like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n