Natural-looking repairs for larger areas of damage
Inlays and onlays provide superior protection for damaged teeth, restoring areas that are too extensive to be treated with a standard filling. They are long-lasting, strong, and can provide a less-invasive alternative to a crown.
Inlays and onlays are tailored to exactly fit your teeth, making them easier to keep clean and better able to repair large areas of damage. An inlay is cemented within the tooth cavity, while an onlay fully covers the biting surface to better enhance the function.
Inlays and onlays protect and strengthen your tooth, providing long-lasting stability. They help your smile stay healthy and resilient, even with the daily pressures of biting and chewing.
We begin your treatment by removing any areas of decay or old fillings, before carefully cleaning your tooth. We take digital images, which are used to create a custom inlay or onlay that looks and fits as you expect.
We place a temporary restoration on your tooth to protect it while your inlay or onlay is being made in a specialised dental laboratory.
When ready, we check your inlay or onlay for fit and comfort before fixing it permanently into place using strong dental adhesive.
Frequently asked questions
Inlays and onlays are made from hardwearing materials, including porcelain and composite resin, and if aesthetics is not an issue, gold can be used to provide a particularly durable restoration.
Inlays and onlays are generally regarded as long-term solutions for restoring your teeth. They are very stable restorations that fit a damaged tooth perfectly, are able to provide superior protection, and withstand stronger chewing forces. Generally, we would expect your inlay or onlay to last a similar number of years to dental crowns. This is usually around 10-15 years, provided you have good oral hygiene and look after your restoration properly.
You care for your inlays and onlays in the same way you would care for your natural teeth. You should brush and floss daily and visit the dentist for routine appointments to ensure your restoration is secure and strong. As the inlay or onlay is tailored to fit, they can be easier to keep clean than other restorations.
You should take care when eating immediately after having your inlays and onlays fitted, and should avoid eating hard foods. However, you are able to resume eating as normal after a few days.
What do our patients say?
Don’t just take our word for it! Read the reviews from our real and valued patients and get an insight into the high-quality care and experience you can expect in our practice.
