Am I a candidate for an inlay or onlay?

You may be a candidate if you have moderate tooth decay or damage that is too extensive for a standard filling but does not require a full crown. Dr. Greene will evaluate the size and location of the damage during a comprehensive exam to determine if an inlay or onlay is the right solution.

Does insurance cover inlays and onlays?

Most dental insurance plans cover inlays and onlays as a restorative procedure, often at a similar percentage as crowns. Coverage varies by plan. Gleem Dental accepts most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, and MetLife, and our team can verify your benefits before treatment.

What happens if I ignore a damaged tooth and skip treatment?

Untreated moderate decay can progress deeper into the tooth, potentially reaching the pulp and requiring root canal treatment. In advanced cases, the tooth may become too compromised to save, leading to extraction and the need for a dental implant or bridge. Addressing damage early with an inlay or onlay preserves more of your natural tooth structure.

Restorative Dentistry • Conservative Repair

Inlays & Onlays in New Orleans

Q: How long do inlays and onlays last?

With proper care and regular dental checkups, porcelain or ceramic inlays and onlays typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. They are bonded directly to the tooth, creating a strong, durable restoration that resists wear. Good oral hygiene and avoiding excessive force from grinding can help extend their lifespan.

When a tooth is too damaged for a simple filling but still too healthy to need a full crown, inlays and onlays offer the ideal middle ground. These custom-crafted restorations rebuild strength and shape while preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible. Dr. Caylin Greene designs every one with precision and care in our Lakeview studio.

Book Appointment (504) 553-1393

Conservative Tooth Repair

Custom Porcelain Restorations

Precision Lab-Crafted Fit

Preserves Natural Tooth

◦ The Middle Ground

Strength restored,
tooth preserved.

Inlays and onlays are custom-milled restorations, made from porcelain or composite, that fit precisely into a prepared tooth. An inlay rests within the cusps; an onlay extends over one or more of them — rebuilding a damaged tooth while keeping it largely intact.

Inlay vs. Onlay

A Precise, Conservative Repair

The difference comes down to how much of the tooth is covered. An inlay fills the area within the cusps — the raised points on the chewing surface — while an onlay extends over one or more cusps. Both are bonded in place to rebuild strength without removing healthy tooth structure.

Ideal For:

Damage too large for a standard filling
Teeth not damaged enough to need a crown
Replacing worn or failing old fillings

What to Expect

Lab-Crafted, Then Bonded

Unlike a filling placed directly in the mouth, an inlay or onlay is fabricated from a precise impression, then bonded into place. This indirect method produces a stronger, longer-lasting restoration that fits your tooth's exact contours and matches your natural shade.

The Lasting Benefits:

Preserves more natural tooth than a crown
Durable porcelain resists wear and staining
Seamless, tooth-colored, natural result

Every restoration is customized to your tooth, bite, and goals — never a one-size-fits-all approach.

◦ Weighing Options

Filling, Inlay/Onlay,
or Crown.

The right restoration depends on how much of the tooth needs to be treated. Here's how an inlay or onlay compares to a direct filling.

Related Treatments:

Crowns & Bridges•Tooth-Colored Fillings

Feature	Filling	Inlay / Onlay
Damage treated	Small to moderate decay or cracks	Moderate to large damage
Fabrication	Placed directly in one visit	Custom-milled in a lab, then bonded
Tooth preservation	Very conservative	Preserves more tooth than a crown
Durability	Good for smaller repairs	Stronger and longer-lasting than a filling
Best for	Minor cavities	Damage too large for a filling, too small for a crown

◦ The Gleem Difference

Repair with an artist's touch.

A great restoration is equal parts clinical precision and cosmetic artistry. At Gleem, you get both.

A Flawless, Custom Fit.

Each inlay or onlay is crafted from a precise digital impression, so your restoration seats perfectly, protects the tooth, and blends invisibly with your natural bite.

01 / PRECISION

Restorations That Disappear.

Dr. Greene matches every porcelain restoration to the exact shade and translucency of your surrounding teeth, so repaired teeth look completely natural.

02 / ARTISTRY

A Calm, Welcoming Experience.

From gentle numbing to our spa-like Lakeview studio, every step is designed to keep restorative care relaxed, unhurried, and comfortable.

03 / COMFORT

◦ Meet the doctor

An artist's eye.
A clinician's precision.

Dr. Caylin Greene earned her DDS from Howard University College of Dentistry in 2016 and brings more than 10 years of experience to her patients. In 2025 she founded Gleem to bring elevated, comprehensive cosmetic care to Lakeview — with advanced training in Invisalign and a quiet obsession with proportion, light, and facial harmony.

Education

Howard University, DDS

Experience

10+ years

Specialties

Invisalign · Cosmetic

Meet Dr. Greene Explore Services

Founder

Dr. Caylin Greene,
DDS

◦ Your Journey

The path to a restored tooth.

Restoring a tooth with an inlay or onlay is a straightforward, comfortable process — and we guide you through every step.

Consultation

Dr. Greene examines the damaged tooth and reviews imaging to confirm whether an inlay or onlay is the most conservative way to restore its strength and shape.

Preparation

We gently remove decay or old filling material and shape the tooth, then take a precise digital impression to design a restoration that fits exactly.

Fabrication

Your custom inlay or onlay is milled from durable porcelain or composite to match your tooth's contours and color. A temporary protects the tooth meanwhile.

Bonding

At your final visit, the restoration is precisely bonded into place, restoring full chewing strength and leaving you with a seamless, natural-looking result.

◦ Frequently asked

Questions,
answered.

What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?

Both are custom-made restorations that repair a damaged tooth, but they cover different areas. An inlay fits within the cusps — the raised points on the chewing surface — filling the area between them. An onlay is larger and extends over one or more of those cusps, covering more of the tooth's biting surface. Dr. Greene recommends whichever conservatively restores your tooth.

How is an inlay or onlay different from a regular filling or a crown?

They fall right in the middle. A filling is placed directly and works well for small cavities, while a crown caps the entire tooth for extensive damage. An inlay or onlay is a lab-crafted restoration for damage that's too large for a filling but not severe enough to need a full crown. It preserves more of your natural tooth than a crown while providing more strength than a filling.

How long do inlays and onlays last?

With good oral hygiene and routine dental visits, porcelain and composite inlays and onlays typically last 10 to 15 years or more. Because they're bonded to the tooth and made from durable materials, they resist wear well and help protect the remaining tooth structure from further damage.

Does getting an inlay or onlay hurt?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn't feel discomfort during treatment. Because inlays and onlays are conservative and preserve healthy tooth structure, most patients find the process straightforward. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and usually fades within a few days.

Are inlays and onlays covered by insurance?

Many dental plans provide partial coverage for inlays and onlays, since they are restorative treatments. Coverage varies by plan and the extent of the damage. Our team will review your benefits and financing options so you know what to expect — see our Insurance & Financing page for details.

◦ Begin

Dentistry that's
designed around you.

Whether it's a routine cleaning or a complete Invisalign journey, your first visit is the easy part. We'll handle the rest.

Book Your Visit (504) 553-1393