General Dentistry

Inlays and Onlays

Patients who have suffered from tooth decay or trauma to their teeth could be ideal candidates for an Inlay and Onlay replacement. This method can improve the appearance of the teeth, as well as create a stronger structure.

Inlays and onlays have been developed as an alternative to dental crowns as they need less tooth shaving than dental crowns. Inlays & Onlays can be made from Gold, Porcelain, Zirconium or Composite resin material.

Gold restorations are very strong and very rarely fracture. Whereas Zirconium, Porcelain and Composite restorations are all tooth coloured and are normally used for areas that may be seen when patients smile or laugh.

Benefits of Inlays and Onlays

Inlays & Onlays have a longer longevity than simple white/silver filling methods.
Inlays & Onlays are made inside a laboratory. Therefore, there is less chance of saliva contamination during attachment to the tooth.
Porcelain options are less likely to stain and discolour.
Alternative solutions, such as white fillings often shrink when setting and this can cause tooth sensitivity afterwards.

What is the procedure for having an Inlay/Onlay?

The tooth is clinically assessed and X-rayed. This process is to ensure the roots are sound. The tooth is then prepared and digital scans are taken. A temporary restoration is provided in the meantime to protect the tooth.
At Pearl Dental Clinic we use the iTero 5D digital scanning system to scan teeth for our lab made restorations.

The iTero handheld wand takes a digital, 3D image of your teeth, preventing the need for traditional impressions which can cause some patients to gag. You can look at the iTero images of your teeth on the screen in real-time. Furthermore, the image quality is crystal clear. This image is then sent straight to the laboratory. Therefore, work can start on the restoration immediately.
Fitting of the final inlay/onlay will be done using resin cement to provide a chemical bond between the tooth and the restoration. In order to increase the bond strength between the tooth and the restoration, at Pearl Dental Clinic we use the AquaCare Air Abrasion system. AquaCare uses high pressure Aluminium Oxide particles to create an additional mechanical bond for the restoration. This significantly reduces the risk of the restoration debonding in future.

Cost of Inlays & Onlays

The cost of Inlays and Onlays differ based on the size of the restoration and the experience of the laboratory technician and the dentist carrying out the treatment. Inlays and Onlays generally cost more than white fillings but on average they do last longer. So in the long term may be more cost effective and involve fewer visits to the dentist. Inlays & Onlays cost £495-£795 at Pearl dental clinic. You can spread the cost of your dental treatment interest-free with our 0% dental finance plans.