Inlays fit around the grooves of your tooth’s surface, addressing damage in the small area between cusps. Onlays extend over the entire cusp (the chewing surface), making them more effective for larger restorations. Both are crafted from durable porcelain or gold to ensure a comfortable, natural appearance.

The Art of Precise Restorations

Natural Look and Feel

Low Maintenance

A Versatile Solution

Greater Decatur’s Mission




Medically reviewed by
Dr. Meyer & Dr. Kimberly Clough
Fillings are a solution for minor repairs, which are performed in a single visit. Inlays and onlays are custom-made in a dental lab, using porcelain to increase your tooth’s durability, and are more effective than fillings for extensive damage to the cusp of the tooth.
However, if tooth decay extends beyond the cusps of the tooth—the top surfaces used for chewing—we may recommend a crown. A crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, offering complete protection for severely damaged teeth. Dr. Meyer and Dr. Clough will assess your teeth and discuss your goals to help you make the best decision for your situation, improving your smile’s appearance and your overall oral health.
So long as you follow your dentist’s oral hygiene instructions, both at home and through routine office visits, you can expect to go 10 to 30 years before replacing your inlays and onlays in Decatur. As always, it’s important to brush and floss every day to avoid decay around the restoration and gum disease. You should also avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, which can damage inlays and onlays over time. During your regular check-ins with Dr. Meyer or Dr. Clough, we’ll ensure that your restoration remains in pristine condition, keeping your teeth’s structure intact for years to come.