Natural-Looking Restorations That Feel As Good As They Look
Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations designed to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or fracture but don’t yet require a full crown.
They fit neatly within the grooves of your tooth, much like a traditional filling, but crafted from durable tooth-coloured porcelain for a more natural look
They extend over one or more of the cusps (the raised points) of your tooth, offering greater coverage for larger areas of damage or wear
The result is a restoration that not only strengthens your tooth but looks indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.
For small cavities or early decay, a simple filling is often sufficient. However, when a tooth is more significantly damaged, an inlay or onlay provides:
Dental crowns usually last 10-15 years and many can last 20 years or more, making them one of the most reliable restorative treatments available.
Your inlay or onlay treatment is typically completed over two appointments to ensure a natural result.
Not exactly. While all three restore areas of tooth damage, they differ in how much of the tooth they repair.
An inlay is used when a cavity is too large for a simple filling. It’s created as a single, custom-made piece that fits precisely into the prepared space and is securely bonded to the tooth.
An onlay covers a larger area, making it a step between a filling and a crown.
Both inlays and onlays offer a stronger, longer-lasting solution than traditional fillings, while maintaining a completely natural appearance.
Perhaps your dentist has mentioned that a cavity is “quite large” or that an existing filling has failed and needs replacement.
You might think, “Just fill it again and let’s move on.”
This approach, whilst understandable, often leads to a cycle of repeated failures, escalating damage, and eventually the need for more invasive treatment.
Each time a large filling is replaced, more healthy tooth structure must be removed.
The tooth becomes progressively weaker, more susceptible to fracture, and ultimately may require root canal therapy or extraction that could have been prevented with the appropriate restoration initially.
Investing in the right treatment the first time protects your tooth, time, and eliminates long-term costs.
Depending on material, oral hygiene and bite forces, these restorations can last between 10-15 years. Their lifespan is often reduced if grinding is present and untreated. Following oral health advice can help prolong the life of your restorations and preserve your oral health.
Inlays and onlays can be made in a dental laboratory by a technician, with the help of impressions taken of your teeth.
While these are being made, you will wear a temporary filling.
When your inlay or onlay is ready, your dentist will glue it into place using a special adhesive after removing the temporary filling.
