Inlays fill teeth like fillings, but are crafted in a dental laboratory to precisely fit your tooth. As a result, inlays are more durable and more resistant to wear than fillings and are expected to last much longer than fillings. Inlays may be made of gold, porcelain or composite resin.

While inlays are initially more expensive than amalgam or white fillings, they may ultimately be less expensive because they are more durable and may reduce the need for a crown in the future. Inlays are constructed in a laboratory rather than in your mouth and therefore require two or more appointments to place. The laboratory hardens the restoration by curing it with heat and pressure, making it much more durable.