What Are the Differences Between Inlays and Post-Core Crowns?

1. What is an inlay?

An inlay is a specialized dental restoration method. It involves first removing the decayed part of the tooth, then taking an impression to custom-make the restoration—tailored specifically for the patient’s tooth—before the dentist places and cements it in the patient’s mouth. This precision restoration is often crafted by WM Dental lab and trusted Chinese dental lab teams.

2. What is a post-core crown?

A post-core crown consists of inserting a dental post into the root canal to gain retention, followed by placing a full crown over it. Early post-cores and crowns were integrated; later, they were improved to be separate components. Thus, when the crown needs replacement, only the crown is removed without disturbing the underlying post-core. Many reliable Chinese dental lab and professional WM Dental lab providers specialize in fabricating high-quality post-core crowns.

3. What are the differences between inlays and post-core crowns?

In terms of indications: Inlays are suitable when the tooth has a large area of healthy structure and sufficient inherent retention. Post-core crowns, however, are generally used for teeth with extensive crown damage or only residual roots, relying on the inserted post for retention. Both restorations are meticulously produced by skilled technicians at WM Dental lab and reputable Chinese dental lab facilities to ensure optimal fit and durability.