Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves Inlays and Onlays with our team of specialist dentists.
Our dentists serving Inlays and Onlays treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our Inlays and Onlays treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.
You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your Inlays and Onlays in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real Inlays and Onlays patients as a testimony to our expertise:
Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our Inlays and Onlays treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our Inlays and Onlays in London can best serve you.
At London Dental Specialists, our inlays and onlays treatments are designed to restore teeth that have suffered moderate decay or damage, offering a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution. The process begins with a comprehensive consultation and assessment to evaluate the affected tooth's condition. Following this, we develop a customised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. The procedure involves carefully preparing the tooth, taking precise impressions, and fitting a custom-made inlay or onlay crafted from high-quality materials such as porcelain or composite resin. After placement, we provide detailed post-treatment care instructions to ensure optimal healing and longevity of the restoration.
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Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 104071
Specialist in Endodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 150517
Specialist in Orthodontics
DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU
GDC No: 228487
Wondering about dental inlays and onlays? These restorative treatments bridge the gap between fillings and crowns, offering a durable solution when tooth damage is too extensive for a standard filling but doesn't require a full crown. At London Dental Specialists, we precisely craft inlays (which fit within the cusps of your tooth) and onlays (which cover one or more cusps) to match your natural tooth structure. Made from strong, tooth-coloured materials, they provide superior longevity compared to traditional fillings while preserving more of your natural tooth. Our patients appreciate how these custom-made restorations strengthen damaged teeth, restore function, and blend seamlessly with their smile. Below are answers to the questions we hear most frequently about these versatile treatments.
Dental inlays and onlays are conservative restorations used when a tooth has moderate damage but doesn't require a full crown. An inlay fits within the cusps (tips) of your tooth, while an onlay covers one or more cusps. Both are custom-made in a dental laboratory from durable materials like porcelain or composite resin, providing a stronger and longer-lasting solution than traditional fillings while preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
The main difference between inlays and onlays is their coverage area. Inlays fit entirely within the cusps (tips) of your tooth, similar to a filling but more durable. Onlays extend over one or more cusps of the tooth, providing greater coverage for more extensive damage. Both restorations are custom-made in a laboratory to precisely fit your tooth, but onlays are used when damage extends to the chewing surface of the tooth.
Inlays and onlays are more conservative treatments than crowns. While inlays and onlays cover only a portion of the tooth (inlays fit within cusps, onlays cover one or more cusps), crowns cover the entire tooth above the gum line. Inlays and onlays preserve more of your natural tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth material. Crowns are typically reserved for teeth with extensive damage or decay, while inlays and onlays are ideal for moderate damage.
Yes, inlays and onlays offer several advantages over traditional fillings. They are more durable, lasting 15-30 years with proper care compared to 5-10 years for composite fillings. Inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth structure rather than weakening it, distribute chewing forces more evenly, and resist staining better than composite fillings. They also provide superior protection against further decay and are easier to clean and maintain, making them a more cost-effective long-term solution despite the higher initial cost.
The inlay or onlay procedure at London Dental Specialists typically requires two appointments. During the first visit, the dentist removes decay, takes precise impressions, and places a temporary restoration. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where your custom inlay or onlay is crafted. At the second appointment, the temporary restoration is removed, and the permanent inlay or onlay is bonded to your tooth using strong dental adhesives. The dentist then checks your bite and makes any necessary adjustments for comfort.
Inlays and onlays can be made from several materials, each with unique benefits:
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, inlays and onlays can last 15-30 years. This longevity significantly exceeds that of traditional fillings, which typically need replacement every 5-10 years. The durability of your restoration depends on several factors, including the material used, your oral hygiene practices, diet, and whether you grind or clench your teeth. Regular visits to London Dental Specialists for professional cleanings and examinations will help maximise the lifespan of your inlays and onlays.
The procedure for placing inlays and onlays is virtually painless. Local anaesthesia is used to numb the area before treatment begins. After the procedure, you might experience mild sensitivity for a few days, particularly to hot or cold temperatures, but this typically resolves quickly. Most patients find inlays and onlays cause less post-procedure discomfort than traditional fillings because they're precisely fitted to your tooth, reducing pressure points and uneven bite forces that can cause pain.
Caring for inlays and onlays is straightforward and similar to caring for your natural teeth:
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Abrasive Toothpaste | Sensodyne Pronamel, Oral-B Gum & Enamel Repair | Gentle cleaning, Sensitivity relief | Safe for inlays and onlays while protecting against sensitivity common after placement. |
| Ultra-Soft Toothbrush | Oral-B Sensitive, Colgate Slim Soft | Gentle cleaning around restorations | Extra-gentle bristles safe for cleaning around inlay and onlay margins. |
| Interdental Brushes | TePe, Boots Interdental | Cleaning around restoration edges | Helps clean the margins where inlays and onlays meet natural tooth structure. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Corsodyl, Listerine Zero | Gentle rinsing | Won't damage the cement or affect the longevity of inlays and onlays. |
| Night Guard | Custom-fitted from dentist | Protection | Protects inlays and onlays from grinding forces that could damage them. |
| Sensitivity Relief Gel | Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief | Sensitivity management | Provides relief for post-treatment sensitivity common with new inlays/onlays. |
| pH Balancing Rinse | Biomin, Regenerate | Acid protection | Helps protect the margins of inlays and onlays from acid erosion. |
| Water Flosser | Waterpik, Philips Sonicare Airfloss | Margin cleaning | Effectively cleans around inlay and onlay margins without damaging cement. |
| Travel Cleaning Kit | Boots, Superdrug | On-the-go care | Maintains inlays and onlays while away from home. |
