Inlays & Onlays

Strength, aesthetics and tooth protection.

What is Dental Onlay?

A dental onlay is a type of indirect restoration used when the cavity is quite large but not large enough to require a crown. In this case, a customized restoration in the cavity’s shape is fabricated in the dental lab and then brought to the clinic to be placed inside the patient’s mouth. The unique feature of an onlay is that the filling extends over the cusps (peaks of the tooth). In many cases, it looks like a partial crown.Onlays can be made of gold, composite, or porcelain material. 

 Dental onlays are very long-lasting compared to regular fillings. 

What are onlays used to treat?

Significantly chipped or broken teeth

Teeth with extensive decay, leaving behind very little tooth structure for a direct filling.

To replace damaged or fractured fillings.

To treat decay below an old filling.

Dental Crown: but a dental crown usually requires more tooth reduction than an onlay.

Pros 

  • They fit the cavity space perfectly. 
  • They can last longer than a dental filling. 
  • Help prevent decay by providing a tight seal. 
  • They help to distribute chewing forces evenly in the mouth and hence protect vulnerable teeth. 
  • Tooth-colored inlays/onlays can be matched exactly to the natural teeth and are aesthetic.

Cons

  • Requires two visits to the clinic 

Happy Patients

We always strive to ensure that all our patients leave us smiling

We started attending this dental practice on a recommendation when we moved to the area over 20 year ago. We have always received a warm welcome and professional service.

Niall Loftus Avatar Niall Loftus
December 8, 2023

Miriam Kenny truly is an exceptional dentist. Passionate about her work, honest in her assessment and faultless during procedure. Miriam goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth experience for all patients. The whole team are fantastic and I would highly recommend this practice.

Lauren Wright Avatar Lauren Wright
September 28, 2018
Dental onlays treatment

What happens during an Onlay Process?

The procedure for getting an onlay involves 2 appointments. 

First appointment

  1. Our dentist will first remove any existing or damaged filling . 
  2. Then, we will prepare and shape the tooth. 
  3. We will take a detailed impression of this shaped tooth.
  4. We choose the colour and shade of your ceramic or composite material so that it blends well with your natural teeth. 
  5. The mould will be sent to the lab for fabricating the onlay 
  6. We will place a temporary filling on the prepared tooth to protect it till the next appointment.

Second appointment

  1. We remove the temporary filling. 
  2. We place the onlay onto the tooth and check for the perfect fit. Any adjustment, if required, is done, and the onlay is then carefully bonded onto the tooth. 

Are dental dental onlays important?

Large cavities that regular fillings cannot fix can be treated with Onlays. Dental Onlays are partial crowns that extend over some (not all) of the tooth surfaces and fit into the tooth cavities. They are a conservative treatment option if you do not want to opt for dental crowns, but still want sufficient strength, aesthetics, and tooth protection.

Onlays can be made of  ceramic, composite, or cast gold. Ceramic and composite onlays are widely used for cosmetic purposes these days. 

They are usually fabricated in the dental lab after taking the trimmed tooth’s impression. You will have to visit the clinic for at least two appointments. 

Practice Plan

We offer a Dental Practice Plan. This provides our patients a way to spread the cost of attending for regular preventive dental care. You can join our plan from as little as €14.50 per month.

Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice

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frequently Asked Questions

Both dental inlays and onlays are indirect restorations created in the dental lab. The difference is that inlays fit within the grooves of the teeth and do not include the tooth cusps or peaks. Whereas onlays are meant to cover the tooth cusps and peaks.

Onlay: Earlier, dental onlay restorations were only cast with gold. But nowadays, more and more people desire tooth-colored onlays. Therefore, onlays are now available in composite, resin, or ceramic/porcelain material. These tooth-colored materials can be fixed to the tooth with strong bonding cement, improving its retention and durability. 

Inlay: Like dental onlays, inlays are also made of solid pieces of gold, resin, composite or resin material

Both dental fillings and onlays are excellent treatment options for decayed, broken, or chipped teeth. There’s no way to declare one better than the other. The requirements differ slightly. Fillings are great for smaller cavities, and there is sufficient tooth structure remaining. On the other hand, onlays are great for large cavities with a considerable amount of decay and not enough tooth structure left for a filling. 

A Dental onlay should always be the first treatment option for significantly decayed teeth. However, placing a dental onlay is  technique sensitive and requires skillful hands.   Both treatments are good options and will protect the tooth from further damage. 

 

A dental onlay can last 10-15 years, sometimes, even more, depending on how you care for it. They are exceptionally durable and long-lasting.

No, a well done and well fitted dental onlay should not hurt at all. You might feel some soreness in the tooth, and surrounding gums after the anesthesia wear off. You may also feel sensitive to hot and cold for a couple of days after the treatment. All these things are normal and will go away in a few days.

Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice

Your Trusted Dental Clinic

Our practice is based on providing a high standard of modern dentistry in a friendly, professional manner. It is our mission to help our patients maintain their teeth and a healthy mouth for their lifetime.

Our entire team is committed to this ideal. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from returning patients and referrals of their family and friends. We welcome and are grateful for these referrals.

It has been normal for a long time in modern dentistry to sterilise instruments after use and to clean and disinfect surfaces.

With the current Covid-19 pandemic we are paying particular attention to our normal cross-infection practices, but in addition, we are keeping the practice well ventilated (it may feel cold) and we use a special Fogging machine with Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) which is an all-natural antimicrobial agent made from salt and water by an electrolysis unit. Fogging of each surgery is carried out between patients after any treatment involving an aerosol.

To reduce aerosol production during procedures with the dentist we most often use a little device called a rubber dam —.50 this isolates the immediate teeth we are working with & protects the back of mouth. During hygienist treatment we are using an extra suction device outside of the mouth, this also reduces aerosol production.

We offer modern dentistry in a friendly professional caring environment.

The practice is owned & directed by Miriam Kenny and as the business owner and the principal healthcare professional, I am primarily interested in providing evidence-based dental healthcare. This means my priority is to help my dental patients to maintain their own natural teeth in a healthy mouth for their lifetime.

We can help improve your smile – we offer a range of options depending on what is most appropriate for you, from tooth whitening to composite bonding to ceramic veneers, crowns and bridges.

How Much do Dental Inlay and Onlay Cost?

At Miriam Kenny Morehampton Dental Practice we aim to provide state of the art, quality affordable dental treatment to all.

It was with this in mind that we created our affordable dental plans, which helps us to keep your teeth, gums and oral health in tip-top shape.

With our Practice Plan, you will attend every 6 months with the hygienist and once yearly for your dental examination and have no fees to pay at these visits. The cost of these visits is covered by your monthly subscription – this is as low as €14.50 or €21, depending on whether you qualify for the “PRSI” benefit.

 

TreatmentMember of maintenance planNon-member of plan
Dental Crowns€700-800€800-€900
Dental Veneers€800€900
Tooth Whitening (night-time tray bleaching)€250€350

How to Find Us

Fill up the Form and Ask Your Queries

Address

First Floor, 79 Morehampton Rd,
Donnybrook, Dublin 4, D04 H2Y3

Phone

016683620

Book Your Appointment

Other Treatments you may consider

This is a gentle, effective and safe way to achieve a remarkable improvement in the colour of your natural teeth.

Fixes the worn tooth and the underlying cause which may lead to sensitivity, bite problems, yellow teeth, headaches, or jaw aches. 

Resemble natural teeth and help restore damage  by bacteria or heavy biting forces to their natural shape and look. 

Custom-made cosmetic correction of discolourations, gaps, out of shape, or chipped front teeth. Long-lasting result