All-ceramic
IPS e.max inlays & onlays
Lithium disilicate for natural translucency and a bonded, conservative result. See IPS e.max.
Aesthetic fixed · Conservative
Inlays & onlays, conservative by design.
Short answer: we make indirect inlays and onlays in IPS e.max all-ceramic or nano-zirconia reinforced resin. Both are superior to direct composite restorations and preserve more tooth structure than a full crown.
Inlays & onlays: key facts
- Materials
- IPS e.max all-ceramic · nano-zirconia reinforced resin
- Best for
- Moderate posterior defects where a crown would remove sound tooth structure
- Versus direct composite
- Superior to direct composite restorations
- Turnaround
- Typically 4–5 lab days
- Send it as
- Intraoral scan or impression with Rx
Indications
When should you choose an inlay or onlay over a crown?
When the defect is too large for a durable direct composite but enough sound tooth remains that a full crown would be over-preparation.
- Replacing large or failing posterior composites or amalgams
- Cusp coverage (onlay) for undermined or cracked cusps
- Patients who want a tooth-coloured, metal-free restoration
- Conservative alternative to a full-coverage crown
Materials & process
Which inlay and onlay materials do we offer?
Preparation guidelines for inlays and onlays: see the inlay & onlay prep guide below.
Resin
Nano-zirconia reinforced resin
A nano-zirconia-filled resin: a reinforced composite option for indirect inlays and onlays.
How a case moves through the lab
Scan or impression
Send a digital scan from your intraoral scanner, or send a conventional impression with your Rx. We accept scans from iTero, 3Shape, Medit, Shining 3D, Straumann AXS, Dexis, DS Core and more. Our iTero Lab ID is 4364; other systems can link to us via info@adlny.com.
Designed by our technicians
Every case is designed digitally in CAD by our technicians, and we can review a design with you remotely.
Made in house
Ceramics are wet-milled and models and appliances 3D printed in our Madison Avenue lab.
Finished by hand
Stain mixed at the bench, inspected under magnification and glazed with a brush before it ships back.
Prep guide · Inlays & onlays
How should you prep for an inlay or onlay?
Values for IPS e.max all-ceramic inlays and onlays. Give the ceramic enough depth and width, flare the walls slightly and keep every internal angle rounded.
| Area | Inlay | Onlay |
|---|---|---|
| Occlusal depth | At least 1.0 mm (aim 1.5 mm) | |
| Isthmus width | At least 1.0 mm (aim 1.5–2.0 mm) | — |
| Proximal box floor | 1.0–1.5 mm wide | |
| Cusp coverage | — | 1.5 mm (min. 1.0 mm) |
| Walls | Slightly divergent, about 6°; 100–120° between the proximal walls and the restoration’s proximal surfaces | |
| Internal angles | Rounded | |
| Margins | Butt or shoulder; no slice-cuts or feather edges; keep margins off centric contacts | |
Do & don’t
Do Rounded internal angles, butt margins
Don’t sharp internal angles
Do Slight taper, one path of insertion
Don’t undercuts or parallel walls
Do Smooth, continuous margin
Don’t ragged or ditched margin
Where sources differ
- Ivoclar’s current e.max instructions give 1.0 mm minimum depth and isthmus; its older chairside guide recommends 1.5 mm depth and a 1.5–2.0 mm isthmus. Aim for the larger figures where the tooth allows.
- Cusp coverage: Ivoclar lists at least 1.0 mm in one document and 1.5 mm in another.
- These values are for IPS e.max. For our nano-zirconia reinforced resin option, ask us before you prep.
Based on: Ivoclar IPS e.max CAD instructions for use; Ivoclar chairside preparation guides for IPS e.max (2009, 2016).
General guidelines based on published manufacturer recommendations; contact Advanced Dental Laboratory for case-specific questions.
Inlay & Onlay Prep Guide: PDF, US Letter.
Turnaround
How long do inlays and onlays take?
Typically 4–5 lab days; complex cases need longer.
We serve dentists nationwide. Local pickup and delivery across the NY metro area, including Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island; FedEx shipping anywhere in the continental US, to 274 Madison Avenue, Suite 1701, New York, NY 10016. Call by 12 noon, Monday–Friday, for guaranteed same-day pickup in Manhattan. After noon, we still pick up as soon as we can. Outside Manhattan, pickup in our local area is usually the next business day (Monday–Friday).
Every restoration we make carries a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. We take any restoration failure seriously, so each concern is reviewed individually and the options are discussed directly with you, the doctor.
From the bench
From the ceramics bench.
What dentists say
What dentists say.
Advanced Dental is hands down the best lab I’ve worked with. Their work is consistently precise, beautiful, and reliable… Highly recommend to any dentist looking for a trusted lab partner…
Read full review
Advanced Dental is hands down the best lab I’ve worked with. Their work is consistently precise, beautiful, and reliable. Communication is always easy, and they truly care about the final result. Highly recommend to any dentist looking for a trusted lab partner.Thank you David and your team for your dedication and expertise!
…The quality of their work is consistently outstanding, with incredible attention to detail, fit, and esthetics. Communication is seamless, turnaround times are reliable… They feel like an extension of our clinical team. Highly recommend.
Read full review
David and his team at Advanced Dental Lab are truly exceptional. The quality of their work is consistently outstanding, with incredible attention to detail, fit, and esthetics. Communication is seamless, turnaround times are reliable, and they genuinely care about helping you deliver the best possible result for your patients. They feel like an extension of our clinical team. Highly recommend.
…David is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and very invested in making sure his work is what we need. I send patients to him for shades routinely, which is an enormous service to me and the patient.
Read full review
I have used Advanced for many years; their work is top flite. David is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and very invested in making sure his work is what we need.
I send patients to him for shades routinely, which is an enormous service to me and the patient.
Inlays & onlays FAQ
Questions dentists ask about inlays and onlays.
Are lab-made inlays and onlays better than direct composite?
Yes. Indirect inlays and onlays in e.max or nano-zirconia reinforced resin are superior to direct composite restorations.
Which material should I choose?
IPS e.max all-ceramic for the most natural translucency; nano-zirconia reinforced resin as a reinforced composite option. Talk to us about your case planning.
Can I send a scan for an onlay?
We accept scans from iTero, 3Shape, Medit, Shining 3D, Straumann AXS, Dexis, DS Core and more. Our iTero Lab ID is 4364; other systems can link to us via info@adlny.com.
How long does an inlay or onlay take?
Typically 4–5 lab days.
Fee schedule
Request our fee schedule.
Tell us about your practice and we will send our current fee schedule. No pricing is published online.