An indirect filling is considered an “inlay” when it fits within the little points or “cusps” of a back (premolar or molar) tooth. It is an “onlay” if it covers one or more of these cusps. Either way, the procedure for placing an inlay or onlay is the same.

They can be made of a tooth-colored material such as ceramic/porcelain or special dental composite. They are made in the lab and bonds to the structure of the prepped tooth by bonding material.