Inlays and Onlays in Polegate
Inlays and onlays are porcelain or composite restorations designed to repair damaged or decayed teeth while preserving healthy structure. They provide a durable, natural-looking alternative to large fillings, restoring strength and comfortable chewing function.
Your Treatment at a Glance
Inlays sit within the tooth’s cusps, while onlays extend over one or more cusps to repair larger defects. Both are crafted from porcelain or composite material, bonded precisely to prepared enamel, delivering strength, fit and improved longevity compared to white fillings.
Treatment starts with gentle tooth preparation and digital scans or impressions to create a custom restoration. At your next visit, the inlay or onlay is securely bonded and adjusted for a strong, natural, and comfortable fit.
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
- Rapid pain relief
- Infection prevention
- Preservation of natural teeth
- Protection of oral function
- Minimised complications
- Peace of mind
Understanding Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays are conservative, laboratory-made restorations crafted from porcelain or composite material to repair moderate decay or fractured teeth. Using precise digital scans, they accurately recreate tooth anatomy, restoring chewing surfaces and strength while preserving significantly more natural tooth structure than full crowns for lasting outcomes.
Treatment begins with diagnosis, removal of damaged tissue and minimally invasive preparation, followed by digital impressions or scans. The bespoke restoration is bonded at a second appointment, delivering a precise fit, improved chewing ability and a natural appearance that integrates seamlessly with surrounding teeth for lasting reliability.
The Right Candidate
You may be a suitable candidate for inlays and onlays in Polegate, East Sussex, if any of the following apply:
- Severe biting surface wear: When a tooth has heavy damage but enough structure left, inlays or onlays restore chewing function while preserving the natural tooth.
- Failing large fillings: When large fillings fail, inlays or onlays offer a strong, natural-looking way to restore the tooth’s shape and strength without a full crown.
- Cracked cusps: Cracked or fractured cusps that are unsuitable for simple fillings but can be restored with onlays to rebuild form and chewing function.
- Want tooth-preserving restorations: Patients wishing to replace old restorations, seeking precise fit, improved longevity and tooth-preserving restorations rather than complete crowns.
Role of Inlays and Onlays
Natural tooth preservation
Preserves more natural teeth than crowns by restoring only damaged areas, maintaining strength while reducing future restorative work.
Superior strength
Laboratory-fabricated materials offer enhanced strength and wear resistance, providing longer-lasting restorations compared with direct fillings under heavy biting forces.
Excellent aesthetics
Porcelain or tooth-coloured composite matches surrounding enamel, producing a seamless, lifelike restoration that blends discreetly with neighbouring teeth.
Seamless tooth fit
Digital scans and laboratory design ensure accurate fit, reducing leakage risk and decay while improving restoration longevity and oral health.
Alternative to crowns
Onlays and inlays often avoid full crowns, preserving enamel and dentine while delivering comparable protection and function where appropriate.
Customised fit
Tailored restorations recreate tooth anatomy precisely, restoring correct chewing function while safeguarding adjacent teeth from excessive wear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Take a look at the answers to some common questions about inlays and onlays:
Are inlays and onlays better than regular fillings?
Inlays and onlays are often stronger and more durable than traditional fillings. They provide a precise fit, restore tooth strength effectively, resist wear, and preserve more natural enamel, making them ideal for larger cavities or damaged chewing surfaces.
How long do inlays and onlays typically last?
With proper care, inlays and onlays can last 10 to 20 years or longer. Their durability depends on the quality of the materials, oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups to maintain strength, stability, and appearance over time.
Is the procedure uncomfortable or painful?
The procedure is generally comfortable and performed under local anaesthetic, ensuring minimal discomfort. Patients may experience slight sensitivity after treatment, which typically subsides quickly with proper care, leaving restored function and a natural feel.
Your Treatment Journey
Every patient’s experience is unique, but this is what you can expect when you start treatment with Polegate Dental Practice.
Consultation
We review medical and dental history, examine the tooth, take scans or impressions, discuss restoration options, materials and costs, and agree on a personalised treatment plan.
Treatment
We carefully prepare the tooth, capture digital impressions, place a temporary restoration, and later bond the bespoke inlay or onlay precisely, checking biting function and comfort.
Aftercare
We provide ongoing reviews, professional cleaning, adjustments, and care guidance to protect restorations, ensuring their longevity and maintaining your oral health.
Hear From Our Happy Patients
See why families across Polegate and East Sussex trust us with their dental care.
Visit our smile gallery to see blooming smiles of our happy patients.
Preserve Teeth with Bespoke Inlays and Onlays
Book a consultation at Polegate Dental Practice to discuss comfortable and lasting inlay or onlay options for durable tooth restoration today.
