Restore a damaged tooth with a dental inlay or onlay
Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays repair teeth that are too damaged for a filling but don't yet need a crown — giving you a strong, long-lasting result that looks completely natural.
Inlays and onlays at Beacon Park Dental
If you've been told a tooth needs more than a filling but you'd like to preserve as much of it as possible before considering a crown, an inlay or onlay could be the right solution. We use them to restore teeth precisely, removing only the damaged material and replacing it with a custom-made restoration that fits the tooth perfectly.
What are dental inlays and onlays?
An inlay repairs damage within the raised points on the chewing surface of a tooth (the cusps). An onlay covers a larger area, extending over one or more of the cusps. It restores more of the chewing surface than an inlay, but preserves more of the natural tooth than a full crown would.
Both are custom-made in a laboratory from a precise digital record of your tooth, and bonded permanently into place. Unlike a filling, which your dentist builds up chair-side, an inlay or onlay gives your laboratory the time and precision to create a restoration that fits, functions, and looks exactly right.
How much do inlays and onlays cost?
The cost depends on the size and position of the restoration and the material involved. You'll receive a clear, itemised quote before we begin, and there's no obligation to proceed if you're not happy with the price.
If you'd like to spread the cost, we offer 0% interest finance over 3, 6, 10, or 12 months, with no hidden fees and a two-minute application process.
Inlay or onlay restoration process
Your consultation
We'll examine your tooth, take digital scans, and confirm whether an inlay or onlay is the right approach.
Preparing the tooth
We remove the damaged or decayed material from your tooth, take precise scans, and fit a temporary restoration to protect the tooth while you wait for your custom inlay or onlay.
Fitting your inlay or onlay
When your inlay or onlay is ready, we’ll welcome you back to the practice so we can bond it into place.
Your consultation
We'll examine your tooth, take digital scans, and confirm whether an inlay or onlay is the right approach.
Preparing the tooth
We remove the damaged or decayed material from your tooth, take precise scans, and fit a temporary restoration to protect the tooth while you wait for your custom inlay or onlay.
Fitting your inlay or onlay
When your inlay or onlay is ready, we’ll welcome you back to the practice so we can bond it into place.
Do I need an inlay or onlay?
Your dentist will usually suggest an inlay or onlay when a tooth has more damage than a filling can reliably address, but removing enough tooth structure for a full crown isn't yet necessary. They're particularly useful for large cavities on the back teeth, where the chewing forces are greatest and a standard filling is more likely to fail over time.
If you've had a large filling that has cracked or worn down, or if decay has developed around an existing filling, an inlay or onlay is often the most conservative way to restore the tooth properly without removing more of it than we need to.
The benefits of inlays and onlays
Preserve more of your natural tooth
Stronger and longer-lasting than a conventional filling
Custom-made for a precise fit
Made from tooth-coloured ceramic
Preserve more of your natural tooth
Stronger and longer-lasting than a conventional filling
Custom-made for a precise fit
Made from tooth-coloured ceramic
Precise restorations from our experienced Lichfield team
Inlays and onlays need accuracy at every stage. We use digital scanning rather than traditional impressions to record your tooth, which gives our laboratory a more accurate model to work from and removes the need for impression trays.
Our dentists have been providing restorative care in Lichfield since 2008, and choosing the right restoration for each tooth is a routine part of that work. We'll always recommend the most conservative option that gives you a reliable, long-term result.
Meet the Beacon Park team
Not sure whether you need a filling, inlay, or crown?
That's exactly what a consultation is for. We'll assess your tooth, explain what we find, and give you a clear recommendation with the reasoning behind it. Book an appointment and we'll take it from there.
Get in touch with our team
We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch and a member of our friendly team will get back to you as soon as possible. If you'd prefer to speak to us directly, you're always welcome to give us a call.