Inlays 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 to bigger cavities. 

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, tooth-coloured porcelain is also used and gives the restored tooth a more natural look, which many patients prefer. 

Inlays and onlays can be made in a dental laboratory by a technician, with the help of impressions taken of your teeth. While these are being made, you will wear a temporary filling. When your inlay or onlay is ready your dentist will glue it into place using a special adhesive, after removing the temporary filling. 

This is carried out over two appointments, the first of which is to prepare the tooth, take impressions and place a temporary inlay. At the second appointment the permanent porcelain Inlay or onlay is bonded to the tooth.