What indirect restoration fits within the cusps and is cemented in place?

• A. Onlay
• B. Inlay
• C. Crown
• D. Bridge

Answer: (B)

An indirect restoration that fits within the cusps and is cemented in place is an inlay. It’s made outside the mouth from an impression and then cemented into the prepared cavity walls that lie inside the cusp tips, so it doesn’t cover the cusps themselves. This distinguishes it from an onlay, which extends over one or more cusps, and from a crown, which covers the entire anatomic crown. A bridge, meanwhile, is a prosthesis that replaces a missing tooth and isn’t a single-tooth restoration. Inlays preserve more tooth structure while restoring the inner surfaces, and they are bonded with luting cement after a precise fit.