Restore damaged or decayed back teeth
5-star rated practice
Highly experienced team
Natural-looking results
Our Harley Street dentists provide natural-looking fillings and also offer inlays and onlays to restore teeth towards the back of the mouth that have shown signs of damage or decay.
You will benefit from over 30 years extensive cosmetic dentistry experience from our owner and principal dentist, Dr Mehran Sanei (GDC No: 67683). Dr Sanei has given numerous national and international lectures on the topics of Cosmetics and Implantology and has been an active member of the American Dental Society of London since 1999.
Our highly experienced dental team are all registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and our highly rated clinic is also monitored and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) so you can rest assured you are in safe hands.
Our principal dentist and specialist prosthodontist, Dr Mehran Sanei (GDC No. 67683), is recognised by the American Dental Association as a Specialist in Prosthodontics.
With over 30 years of extensive dentistry experience, he has also given national and international lectures on Cosmetics and Implantology. He has been an active member of the American Dental Society of London since 1999.
To book your consultation, please call us today on 020 7935 3914.
Dental inlays and onlays help to restore damaged or decayed teeth at the back of the mouth to provide strength and stability for normal chewing.
Made from tooth-coloured porcelain, composite or gold an inlay serves to fill a large hole in the tooth.
An impression of the tooth is taken once the decay and damaged tooth has been cleared. This records the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it. A temporary inlay will be placed to protect the tooth while the laboratory makes the inlay. On the next visit the inlay will be bonded to the tooth and slight adjustments will be made to the bite if necessary.
An onlay is positioned on the tooth and builds up its shape. The process of making an onlay is the same as the inlay.
Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. The material for white fillings can vary, and are mainly made of glass particles, porcelain and a synthetic resin and a setting ingredient.
White fillings are not suitable on the back teeth, they do not last as long as inlays & onlays and can discolour. The life expectancy of a white filling can depend greatly on where it is in the mouth and how heavy the teeth come together when you bite.
Inlays and onlays provide a strong, long-lasting way to restore damaged or decayed teeth while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible. Because they are custom-made, they offer excellent fit, strength and durability, as well as a natural appearance when tooth-coloured materials are used.
Inlays and onlays are suitable for patients with moderate tooth damage or decay where a standard filling may not provide enough strength, but a crown is not yet required. Your dentist will advise on the most appropriate option after examination.
Fillings are placed directly into the tooth and are generally used for smaller areas of decay. Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations used when the damage is more extensive. An inlay fits within the biting surface of the tooth, while an onlay covers one or more cusps, providing greater support and strength.
Inlays and onlays restore part of a tooth, conserving more natural structure than a crown. A crown covers the entire tooth and is usually recommended when a tooth is heavily damaged or weakened. In many cases, inlays or onlays can be a more conservative alternative to full crown treatment.
The procedure is usually carried out over two appointments. At the first visit, the tooth is prepared and impressions are taken. A temporary restoration may be placed while your custom inlay or onlay is made in a dental laboratory. At the second visit, the restoration is securely bonded to the tooth and carefully adjusted for comfort and bite.
Treatment usually requires two visits. The first appointment involves preparing the tooth and taking impressions, and the second visit is for fitting the custom-made restoration once the dental laboratory has crafted it.
Treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, ensuring the procedure is comfortable and pain-free. Most patients find the experience very similar to having a filling placed.
Caring for an inlay or onlay is much the same as caring for your natural teeth. Regular brushing, flossing and routine dental check-ups will help maintain the restoration and your overall oral health.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, inlays and onlays can last 10 years or even longer. They are typically more durable than large fillings and are designed to withstand normal biting and chewing forces.