Tooth inlay, onlay & overlay

What is the difference between inlay, onlay, overlays & fillings?

Fillings are usually made from white composite resin or silver amalgam metal. The trouble with amalgam silver fillings is that they are not tooth coloured and they do not bond to tooth tissue and can leave the tooth cusps at risk of tooth fracture.

White composite fillings do bond to tooth tissue but are not as strong as inlays, onlays or overlays. Large white fillings are usually at higher risk of fracture.

Modern inlay, onlay, overlays are usually made from ceramic, zirconium or composite materials and are all tooth coloured. Older versions were made from gold or metals but these are not widely used these days.

How do inlays, onlays & overlays differ?

They differ in what surfaces of the tooth they cover. Inlays cover the inside of a cavity, onlays cover cusps too and overlays cover the entire occlusal (top surface) of the tooth. Overlays can almost be thought of as partial crowns. Overlays provide the highest protection against cusp fracture (parts of tooth breaking off). Cuspal protection against fracture is especially important in cases of root filled or heavily filled teeth or in people who have high bite forces or grind their teeth.

Full crowns on the other hand cover all the surfaces of the tooth and are not as conservative of remaining tooth tissue as overlays. Some argue that full crowns make the tooth look more uniform in colour.

Can you get same day inlay, onlay, overlays?

At Pearl dental clinic, we provide same day inlay, onlay or overlays usually made in 90-120 minutes in a single visit. These CEREC same day restorations are made from composite, ceramic or zirconium and are tooth coloured and long lasting. As CEREC CAD/CAM restorations only requires a single visit, there is no need to be numbed twice or have a temporary restoration in place for two weeks.

cerec same day tooth

What is the procedure for getting an inlay, onlay or overlay?

We first assess your tooth for suitability. We take out any old fillings and decay out of the tooth. The tooth is immediately sealed with a special resin coating. Secondly, we scan your tooth digitally and design and mill your restoration with our CEREC CAD/CAM milling machine. Finally, we bond your new restoration to your tooth. We polish the restoration to create a smooth feel to the tongue. You can now go home and start enjoying your new tooth.

Are same day inlay, onlay & overlays more costly?

No, the price of same day inlay, onlay & overlays is same as traditional two visit inlay, onlay & overlays. Generally speaking inlay, onlay and overlays cost 2-3 times more than traditional fillings. However, these restorations last 2-3 times longer than fillings.

Root canal treatment at Pearl Dental Clinic near Wimbledon

How can I get a same day inlay, onlay, overlay?

Pearl dental clinic has been serving patients in London SW15 area since 2007. The clinic is open 365 days a year, so that you can have flexible access to affordable dentistry. You can read the reviews of what our patients say about our care online.

You can book a same day tooth inlay, onlay, overlay consultation appointment with one of our dentists by calling 0208 547 9997 or by WhatsApp messaging us or by booking an appointment using our online booking system.

Call us today on 020 8547 9997

Whatever you need, our friendly team is looking forward to hearing from you.

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