A dental onlay or an inlay is a way to give structure back to the tooth without performing a dental implant. Or performing another procedure that might be a bit more invasive. The inlay or onlay is like a filling. But it is done in a laboratory. Then it is bonded to the tooth instead of the damaged area being removed and filled in the office. Inlays and onlays do not weaken the structure of the teeth. Over time the teeth will begin to strengthen. Most people can bear at least 50 percent more chewing force than before the inlays and onlays were placed. The inlay is performed when the structure is replaced close to the tips of the tooth. Damage that is a bit more extensive or requires more of the tooth to be addressed is done with an onlay. The onlay will usually cover the entire surface area of the tooth instead of only certain parts. A benefit of the dental inlay is that it doesn't show on the tooth like a filling would. It is made to look as natural as possible. This gives y