Dental inlays and onlays—often referred to as partial crowns—are ideal long-term solutions for restoring decayed, fractured, or damaged back teeth (premolars and molars). They are typically recommended when a tooth has suffered too much damage to be repaired with a standard white filling, but still retains enough healthy structure that a full coverage dental crown is unnecessary. By choosing an inlay or onlay, more of your natural tooth structure is preserved while restoring complete biting strength.
At The Dental Gallery in Ealing, inlays and onlays are handcrafted from premium composite or ceramic materials to match the exact shade and shape of your natural teeth. The treatment is carried out over two appointments: during the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth, removes any decay, and takes precise impressions. These are sent to an expert dental laboratory where your custom restoration is fabricated. On your second visit, the inlay or onlay is securely bonded to the tooth, polished, and checked for a perfect fit, leaving you with a strong, seamless restoration.
Requires significantly less tooth enamel removal compared to a full crown, keeping more of your natural tooth intact.
Made from tough ceramic or composite materials that withstand heavy chewing forces for many years.
Custom-matched to the colour and contour of your adjacent teeth, providing a virtually invisible repair.
Creates a precise, tight seal around the tooth cavity, protecting against future bacterial leakage and recurrent decay.
A dental inlay is used to fill a cavity located between the raised points (cusps) in the centre of a tooth. A dental onlay is larger and is used when the damage extends to cover one or more of the outer cusps or the entire chewing surface.
Inlays and onlays are stronger and more durable than standard fillings, making them suitable for larger areas of damage. Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth down to the gumline, inlays and onlays cover only the damaged portion, preserving more natural enamel.
The treatment usually takes two appointments. The first appointment involves preparing the tooth and taking impressions, while the second appointment is for fitting and bonding your custom-made restoration into place.
With good oral hygiene, regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, high-quality composite or ceramic inlays and onlays can last for 10 years or longer.
Not at all. Local anaesthetic is administered during the tooth preparation and fitting stages to ensure the entire treatment is comfortable and completely pain-free.
