Inlay and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays are two types of restorations that your dentist can suggest if you have a cavity in your tooth that needs to be filled.

An Inlay is a small filling that fits into the biting surface of a tooth while an Onlay covers a larger area of the tooth and is better suited for bigger cavities.

What are Inlays and Onlays made from?

For many years, gold has been used to make inlays and onlays because it is a hard material and lasts for a long time. Nowadays, they can be custom made from metal or tooth-coloured porcelain or composite to give the restored tooth a more natural look, which many patients prefer.

What is the treatment for an Inlay or Onlay?

Your dentist will first administer a local anaesthetic and then begin preparing the tooth to be treated. When all the damaged or decayed parts of the tooth have been removed, a dental impression or scan of the tooth will then be taken.

Your Inlay or Onlay will then be made by our specialist dental lab to exactly fit the space prepared in the tooth. At the second appointment, it will be permanently bonded in place.

To complete the tooth restoration, the surface is then smoothed and polished for a comfortable bite and a pleasing aesthetic result.