<P> When decay or fracture incorporate areas of a tooth that make amalgam or composite restorations inadequate , such as cuspal fracture or remaining tooth structure that undermines perimeter walls of a tooth , an onlay might be indicated . Similar to an inlay , an onlay is an indirect restoration which incorporates a cusp or cusps by covering or onlaying the missing cusps . All of the benefits of an inlay are present in the onlay restoration . The onlay allows for conservation of tooth structure when the only alternative is to totally eliminate cusps and perimeter walls for restoration with a crown . Just as inlays , onlays are fabricated outside of the mouth and are typically made out of gold or porcelain . Gold restorations have been around for many years and have an excellent track record . In recent years , newer types of porcelains have been developed that seem to rival the longevity of gold . If the onlay or inlay is made in a dental laboratory , a temporary is fabricated while the restoration is custom - made for the patient . A return visit is then required to fit the final prosthesis . Inlays and onlays may also be fabricated out of porcelain and delivered the same day utilizing techniques and technologies relating to CAD / CAM dentistry . </P>
<P> When decay or fracture incorporate areas of a tooth that make amalgam or composite restorations inadequate , such as cuspal fracture or remaining tooth structure that undermines perimeter walls of a tooth , an onlay might be indicated . Similar to an inlay , an onlay is an indirect restoration which incorporates a cusp or cusps by covering or onlaying the missing cusps . All of the benefits of an inlay are present in the onlay restoration . The onlay allows for conservation of tooth structure when the only alternative is to totally eliminate cusps and perimeter walls for restoration with a crown . Just as inlays , onlays are fabricated outside of the mouth and are typically made out of gold or porcelain . Gold restorations have been around for many years and have an excellent track record . In recent years , newer types of porcelains have been developed that seem to rival the longevity of gold . If the onlay or inlay is made in a dental laboratory , a temporary is fabricated while the restoration is custom - made for the patient . A return visit is then required to fit the final prosthesis . Inlays and onlays may also be fabricated out of porcelain and delivered the same day utilizing techniques and technologies relating to CAD / CAM dentistry . </P>
the metal of choice for inlay and onlay cast restorations is
the metal of choice for inlay and onlay cast restorations is
gold
gold