When a Filling Is Enough

Dental fillings are the standard treatment for small to moderate cavities. Decayed tooth structure is removed and replaced with a tooth-colored composite material directly inside the tooth, in a single visit. Fillings work well when the damage is contained and there's still plenty of healthy tooth structure surrounding it.

When Damage Is Too Extensive for a Filling — But a Crown Isn't Necessary

Sometimes decay or damage is too large or too awkwardly positioned for a filling to hold up long-term, but the tooth still has enough healthy structure remaining that a full crown would mean removing more of the natural tooth than necessary. This is where inlays and onlays come in.

• An inlay fits within the grooves on the biting surface of the tooth, similar to a filling but made outside the mouth from a more durable material and bonded into place.
• An onlay covers one or more of the tooth's cusps (the raised points on the chewing surface) in addition to the area between them, offering more coverage than an inlay without extending to a full crown.

Both are custom-fabricated to fit your tooth precisely, then bonded in place, offering a strong, long-lasting repair that preserves more of your natural tooth than a crown would require.

When a Crown Is the Right Call

Dental crowns cover the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gumline. Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth has extensive decay, a large old filling that's failing, a root canal, or a fracture that compromises the tooth's overall structural integrity. In these cases, a crown provides the strength and protection that a smaller restoration simply can't.

How They're Made and Placed

Inlays, onlays, and crowns are typically fabricated from durable materials like porcelain or a composite resin, and many practices — including ours — use digital impression technology like the iTero scanner to capture a precise 3D model of your tooth, eliminating the need for messy putty impressions. You can read more about our approach to digital scanning and diagnostics on our Technology page.

Durability and Longevity

Inlays and onlays are known for their strength and can last many years with good oral hygiene, often outperforming large fillings in the same location. Crowns are built to withstand the full force of chewing across the entire tooth and are typically the most durable option when extensive tooth structure is compromised.

How Dr. Shah Decides Which Option Is Right for You

The right restoration depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, where the damage is located, and how much chewing force that tooth handles. During your exam, Dr. Shah will evaluate the tooth and walk you through why a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown is the most conservative and effective option for your specific situation — always aiming to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible.

Financing Your Restoration

We accept 12+ major insurance plans and offer CareCredit, Cherry financing, and in-house payment plans. Visit our Insurance & Financing page to learn more about your options.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you have a tooth that needs repair, contact us to schedule an exam. Dr. Shah will recommend the most conservative, long-lasting option for your smile.