The difference in one sentence each
- Inlay — fills a cavity inside the tooth and does not cover the cusps
- Onlay — replaces one or more cusps while keeping the rest of the natural tooth
- Crown — covers the whole visible part of the tooth down to the margin
Which one is chosen
The choice between an inlay, an onlay and a crown is a clinical decision made by the dentist. It depends on how much healthy tooth is left, the size of the old filling or decay, the bite and the material. As designers we work from the preparation we receive. If the preparation does not seem to match the restoration ordered, we ask before designing.
How the design differs
An inlay is designed inside the cavity walls. The designer follows the margin closely, checks that the walls allow a clear path of insertion and builds the occlusal surface so it blends with the remaining cusps. Contacts with the neighbouring teeth matter as much as with a crown when the cavity reaches between the teeth.
An onlay covers part of the chewing surface, so the margin runs across the top of the tooth as well as the sides. Material thickness over the replaced cusps is checked against the minimum for the chosen material, and the occlusion is set against the antagonist. A crown covers the whole tooth, so full anatomy, contacts and occlusion are designed from scratch.
What to send
Send the scan of the prepared tooth, the full arch, the antagonist and the bite registration. Tell us the restoration type, the tooth number, the material and the production method. A clear margin is essential on inlays and onlays because the margin is long and runs across visible areas of the tooth.
On our price list an inlay or a crown is $12 per tooth with a 24-hour turnaround, and revisions are included until you approve the design.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you design onlays?
- Yes. Send the preparation scan with the antagonist and bite, and tell us the material you will use.
- How much does an inlay design cost?
- An inlay is $12 per tooth on our price list, the same as a crown, with a 24-hour turnaround.
- Who decides between an onlay and a crown?
- The dentist. We design the restoration that was prescribed and ask if the preparation does not seem to match it.