Inlays & Onlays

These are two types of restorations that we may suggest if you have a cavity in a tooth which needs to be filled. Very often an inlay will be the same shape and size as a filling put into your tooth directly but because it is made in the laboratory after impressions have been taken, it will be stronger and more long lasting. Onlays use the same principles but usually cover larger areas of tooth. Inlays and onlays can be made of gold (this is still the best material for the chewing teeth at the very back of your mouth) or tooth coloured porcelain. While your inlay or onlay is made, you have a temporary filling in the tooth and then this is removed and the new restoration is glued in place with special adhesive.