Fillings, Inlays and Onlays

After decay is removed from a tooth, something must be placed in that space to give strength back to the tooth.

Fillings
Fillings are the most common restorative procedure. Fillings can be silver or white.

Inlays and onlays
In addition to fillings, laboratory-fabricated inlays and onlays are available—in gold, in white porcelain, or in resin. Although many patients think of these as fillings as well, they are actually different, since they are fabricated in a laboratory.

Silver (amalgam) fillings
Silver fillings were used for many years. Typically, silver fillings were placed on back teeth (molars). They were an economical way of providing a lasting restoration for most cavities. The material was specially formulated to withstand years of chewing pressure. (But see Dr Weinberg's article on dental amalgams.)

White fillings
White fillings are an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings. White fillings are made of a strong composite resin that is matched to the surrounding tooth color. In the past, white fillings were placed only on front teeth, but recently a stronger more durable material has been developed that can withstand the chewing pressure of back teeth.

White fillings are most commonly used for cosmetic reasons, or by patients with sensitivity to heat or cold: the composite resin doesn't conduct temperature changes as fast as silver or gold.

Gold inlay or onlay
A gold inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a silver filling, but isn't so big that a crown is required. An inlay is a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the tooth.

White porcelain or resin inlay or onlay
A porcelain or resin inlay or onlay is used when the cavity is too big for a white resin filling, but isn't so big that a crown is required. An inlay is a filling within the cusp tips of the tooth. Onlays (also known as overlays) will overlay one or more cusps in order to protect and strengthen the tooth.