Inlays and Onlays

Looking for a conservative option to repair damaged or decayed teeth? Inlays and onlays help ensure you keep as much of your natural tooth as possible.

Inlays and onlays provide a more conservative approach to restoring teeth, if you have tooth decay or damage to a back tooth, than a crown. As only a small amount of healthy tooth will need to be removed to prepare the tooth. Although small areas of damage or decay can be repaired with a filling, to protect larger areas, the team at College Dental Surgeries may suggest an inlay or an onlay. An inlay is designed to repair the very centre of your tooth, where as an onlay fits across the entire top surface of the tooth.

It will take two appointments to sculpt your inlay or onlay. At the first appointment the dentist will prepare your tooth and take impressions. These will then be sent to the laboratory so the dental technician can craft your custom-made inlay or onlay. At your second appointment the dentist will remove the temporary filling and will bond the inlay or onlay to your tooth, helping to strengthen and protect the tooth. Inlays and onlays are made from a variety of tooth coloured materials so will blend beautifully with your natural tooth colour, creating a restoration that is virtually invisible.