Dental inlays and onlays
Strong, stable repairs
These hard-wearing restorations can be used in teeth that cannot be repaired with a normal filling. They are custom-made in a laboratory from an impression taken of the teeth.
Inlays are bonded within the cavity, whereas onlays cover one or more of the tooth’s cusps (points) or completely cover the biting surface.
They are usually made from tooth-coloured materials, such as porcelain and composite resin, but can be crafted from gold if the damaged tooth is subject to heavy chewing forces.
Why you may need treatment
You may have decay or damage that a normal filling will not be able to rectify. Inlays or onlays can help to restore the shape and function of your tooth.
The benefits of treatment
- Can protect and strengthen the tooth
- Less invasive than other restorations
- More hardwearing than conventional fillings
- Usually offers a natural-looking result
How we treat you
We remove any areas of decay or old fillings and clean the tooth. We then take an impression and use this to create an inlay or onlay that will fit the cavity perfectly. When this is ready, we check for fit and fix it in place.
What else you need to know
If you just can’t wait for your inlay or onlay, we can produce tailor-made restorations in just one visit using CEREC technology.
Inlays and onlays are designed to fit exactly which makes them extra hardwearing and they can be easier to keep clean than other restorations. If properly looked after, inlays or onlays can provide particularly long-lasting protection.