━ Inlays & onlays in Birmingham
Stronger repairs,
less tooth removed.
When a back tooth is too damaged for a filling but does not need a full crown, an inlay or onlay rebuilds it precisely. Our Birmingham team plans each restoration around the tooth you still have.
━ Purpose
Rebuilding damaged back teeth
━ Materials
Porcelain or composite
━ Approach
Partial coverage, tooth preserving
━ Location
Erdington, Birmingham
━ When an inlay or onlay helps
Between a filling
and a crown.
An inlay sits within the biting surface of a tooth, while an onlay also covers one or more of the cusps. Both are made outside the mouth and bonded into place, so they restore shape and strength without reducing the whole tooth for a crown.
Large or failing old fillings
Cracked or heavily worn back teeth
Teeth restored after root canal treatment
Cases where a crown would remove too much tooth
━ What we treat
Rebuilding back teeth, carefully.
Inlays and onlays suit teeth that need more support than a filling can offer.
Large cavities
Where decay has left too little tooth for a reliable direct filling.
Failing fillings
Old, cracked or leaking restorations that keep breaking down.
Cracked cusps
An onlay can cover and protect a weakened biting surface.
Worn teeth
After root canal treatment
A bonded onlay restores strength while keeping tooth structure.
Crown alternative
Chosen when partial coverage gives a stronger long-term result.
━ Suitability, treatment & aftercare
What inlays and onlays involve.
Assessment
Your dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays where needed and discusses whether an inlay, onlay, filling or crown suits it best.
Preparation
Decay and any failing restoration are removed, the tooth is shaped conservatively and a scan or impression is taken.
Laboratory stage, fit and review
Your restoration is made in porcelain or composite and shade matched, while a temporary protects the tooth.
The inlay or onlay is checked, bonded into place and your bite adjusted, with aftercare advice for cleaning and grinding.
━ Inlays and onlays fees
Inlay and onlay costs, itemised.
Fees depend on your individual needs and the treatment agreed. Everything is confirmed in writing after your assessment.
Porcelain inlay or onlay
Priced per tooth, as for crowns
From £597
Composite filling alternative
Direct tooth-coloured repair where suitable
From £115
Examination
Full mouth check-up
£35
Crown if more coverage is needed
Full-coverage option discussed at your assessment
From £597
Guide prices only. Your exact fees are confirmed in a written treatment plan following examination.
━ Your treatment journey
Two visits, a precise fit.
01
Assessment
Your dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays where needed and discusses whether an inlay, onlay, filling or crown suits it best.
02
Preparation
Decay and any failing restoration are removed, the tooth is shaped conservatively and a scan or impression is taken.
03
Laboratory stage
Your restoration is made in porcelain or composite and shade matched, while a temporary protects the tooth.
04
Fit and review
The inlay or onlay is checked, bonded into place and your bite adjusted, with aftercare advice for cleaning and grinding.
━ Questions answered
Inlays and onlays FAQs.
Straightforward answers to the questions patients in Birmingham ask us most often.
An inlay fits within the biting surface of a tooth. An onlay also covers one or more cusps, so it gives more protection to a weakened or cracked tooth.
It depends on how much healthy tooth remains. Where enough sound tooth is left, partial coverage preserves more of your natural tooth than a crown.
Usually two. The tooth is prepared and scanned at the first visit, then your restoration is bonded into place once the laboratory has made it.
With good cleaning and regular check-ups they can last many years. Grinding, decay at the edges and gum disease are the main reasons a restoration fails early.
Yes. Porcelain and composite are shade matched to your tooth, so repairs on back teeth are discreet.
Yes. We are based in Erdington and welcome patients from across Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas.
Need a damaged back tooth rebuilt?
Call our Erdington reception team to arrange an assessment and discuss whether an inlay or onlay suits your tooth.
