Inlays / Onlays

Inlays or Onlays are a popular alternative to fillings particularly when the decay damage to a tooth is more extensive. The inlay / onlay is created in a dental laboratory ensuring strength, allowing the inlay / onlay to last much longer than conventional fillings.

A damaged tooth can be painful and uncomfortable to deal with and when a conventional filling isn’t sufficient then your dentist could recommend the use of Inlays and Onlays. These are usually made in tooth coloured porcelain to create a natural and smooth appearance but other materials are available depending on where the damage is located.

A conventional filling is a soft material moulded into shape of the tooth before being set hard whereas inlays and onlays are created outside the mouth to a model of your tooth. An inlay sits in the hole of the tooth to give it strength whilst the onlay sits on top to build the shape of the tooth. These are bonded to your tooth during the procedure using a strong adhesive and then polished to perfect the smooth and natural appearance.