Inlays & Onlays

What are they?

You can have inlays or onlays instead of a filling. Fillings are soft to begin with and are moulded to the shape in the mouth. Inlays and onlays are made outside the mouth, usually in a dental laboratory, and then glued to the tooth in the surgery.

An inlay sits in a hole in the tooth, and an onlay sits on the tooth and builds up its shape. They can be made in tooth colouring porcelain, gold or a material called composite. Different materials are suitable for different parts of the mouth and different parts of the teeth.

What will my dentist do?

Your dentist will:

  • Normally give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area
  • Remove any old filling material and any decayed or damaged tooth
  • Use soft, mouldable material which sets in the mouth to record the shape of the tooth being repaired and the teeth around it
  • Give the impression to the dental technician to make the inlay or onlay
  • Use a temporary filling to protect the tooth that is being repaired while you wait for the inlay or onlay to be repaired
  • Glue the inlay or onlay in place on your next visit (they may make small adjustments so that the tooth is comfortable to bite on)

What are the benefits?

  • Inlays and onlays are strong and can last longer than fillings
  • They are especially suitable for the chewing surfaces of back teeth and for large repairs to front teeth where it can be difficult to make a white filling look natural
  • Your dentist can match the colour to your other teeth.

Why choose us?

Leading Dental Care

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Five Star Customer Service

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Customer Service

Specialist Services

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Services

Disabled Access

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Access

Invisalign Provider

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Patient Reviews

People are talking about us

The biggest complement we receive is when our patients refer their friends and family to Cedar Dental Care. In fact, we have built much of our practice on these valued, trusted recommendations over the years. Read our reviews to hear why our patients are recommending us…

Patient reviews

2323 Reviews

5.0

5th June 2026

My dentist always puts me at ease as I always stress about my appointments. He always adds a bit of humour when appropriate and I trust him.The reception team are always very accommodating and friendly.

5th June 2026

Good, careful treatment. I have been a patient at Cedar for many years.I am 86 years old,and still have my own 'wartime' teeth.

4th June 2026

Abby is so personable that you need have no concerns about any procedures that be undertaken.

4th June 2026

Perfect service

NB

Neil Brazell

Broke a tooth today .my dentish was not working when i went there at 4.30 so they got another dentish to sort my tooth out with in 1 hour

3rd June 2026

Everybody is always very pleasant, its a pleasure to attend the clinic. It seems a happy relaxed place.

3rd June 2026

The staff are always very professional and caring nothing is to much trouble for them

2nd June 2026

Staff very friendly, competent and know what they are about

2nd June 2026

The staff are always friendly and helpful and efficient.

1st June 2026

The team I saw are great and do an excellent job of explaining things to me. I always feel like I am well looked after

1st June 2026

Listened to me and acted on my comments. Kind and patient with a very nervous patient. Explained everything they were doing in advance.

30th May 2026

Dr Patel is a fantastic dentist.

29th May 2026

Abi took time and care looking after me at the appointment. She knows that I have anxiety about most things and was really good at putting me at ease.She explained in detail the options and also during the procedure on what she was doing and how it would feel.She and the rest of the team are lovely and really great at looking after patients.

29th May 2026

I needed help soon and I went into the dentists and was asked to return later that afternoon. Sunill was friendly and made me feel at ease explaining what our next step should be.. my problem was dealt with by him and a more permanent solution to be sorted a week later

28th May 2026

Highly professional and courteous service from the team. Appropriate use of humour by the dentist to put me at ease - I don’t like going to the dentists.Good to see how supportive the dentist was to the nurses. I think one might have been under training. From what I saw she has a successful career ahead of her

28th May 2026

I had toothache over the bank holiday and phoned for appointment 1st thing Tues morning and was fitted in that day , had an examination, xray And given a prescription for antibiotic.Everyone was very helpful

28th May 2026

Dr Patel - I cannot recommend him more highly, I found himIn Yellow Pages

28th May 2026

Abby is an amazing dentist, her manner is incredible, attention to detail, the way she talks through the treatment she is doing. I wouldn't go to another dentist she is amazing an an asset to this practice

28th May 2026

Very safe and reassuring atmosphere

28th May 2026

Very polite, welcoming and extremely professional attitude.

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