Repairs and reinforces
Fills the cavity and strengthens the tooth simultaneously.
No impressions
A digital scan replaces difficult, gag inducing impressions.
Resilient materials
Crafted from gold, ceramic or zirconia to suit your tooth.
Built for teeth with too little left to fill.
WHEN A FILLING IS NOT ENOUGH
An onlay is recommended when there is not enough healthy tooth left for a regular filling to protect. It fills the existing cavity and reinforces what remains of the tooth simultaneously, giving you strength and peace of mind. We typically recommend one when:
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A large existing filling is failing or breaking down
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The tooth has multiple cracks
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The tooth has had root canal treatment and needs reinforcing
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A regular filling would no longer provide enough protection
Smaller cavity? A white filling from £154 may be all you need, and we will always recommend the most conservative option that works.
MADE TO LAST
Three materials. One right answer for your tooth.
01
Ceramic
Tooth coloured and often called porcelain, ceramic blends naturally with your smile, making it a popular choice for teeth that show.
02
Zirconia
An exceptionally strong tooth coloured material, well suited to back teeth that do the heavy chewing.
03
Gold
The traditional choice for good reason. Extremely durable and kind to the opposing teeth, ideal where strength matters more than looks.
Onlays are very resilient restorations, and we craft them from materials ranging from gold to ceramic to zirconia. Your dentist will recommend the right one based on where the tooth sits, the forces it takes and how visible it is when you smile.
More than a filling. Less than a crown.
Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations: instead of being shaped in your mouth like a filling, they are custom made to precisely fit your tooth, then bonded in place. An inlay sits within the grooves of the tooth, between the raised edges.
An onlay goes a step further and covers one or more of those raised edges, which is why it is sometimes called a partial crown. Both preserve more of your natural tooth than a full crown, because the tooth only needs a conservative reshape rather than being cut down all the way around.
THE MIDDLE GROUND
YOUR VISITS
Two visits. No impressions. One stronger tooth.
01
Examine and plan
We examine the tooth, confirm an inlay or onlay is the right option, and agree your material and exact price before anything starts.
02
Conservative reshape and digital scan
At the first appointment the tooth is reshaped conservatively, keeping as much natural tooth as possible, and a digital scan is taken. No difficult, gag inducing impressions. A provisional restoration is fitted to protect the tooth.
03
Your onlay is crafted
Your custom restoration is made to precisely match the scan in your chosen material.
04
Bonded and checked
Around a week later, the onlay is carefully bonded onto the tooth, your bite is checked, and the tooth is back to full working order.
WHY SWINNOW DENTAL
Precision work, done conservatively.
A 5 star rating from over 320 Google reviews
Conservative reshaping that keeps as much natural tooth as possible
Digital scans instead of gag inducing impressions
Gentle with nervous patients, with sedation available where appropriate
136 Swinnow Road, Bramley, two minutes from Bramley station with parking nearby
Patients come to us for inlays and onlays from Bramley, Pudsey, Farsley, Stanningley, Horsforth, Armley and across West Leeds. Late evenings until 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and alternate Saturday mornings make the two visits easy to fit around work.
Patient Stories
"The practice is beautiful, the team are so friendly, and everything was explained clearly from the start. I’ve never felt more relaxed at a dentist – I actually look forward to coming back!"
-Google review, 2025
Frequently asked Questions?
1) What is the difference between an inlay, an onlay and a crown?
An inlay sits within the grooves of the tooth. An onlay covers one or more of the raised edges as well, which is why it is sometimes called a partial crown. A full crown covers the entire tooth. Inlays and onlays preserve more natural tooth than a crown, and we will always recommend the most conservative option that will protect your tooth properly.
2) How much does an onlay cost?
Onlays at Swinnow Dental start from £760, as listed on our fee guide. The exact price depends on the tooth, the size of the restoration and the material, and it is confirmed with you before treatment begins. Finance options are available through Practi Finance.
3) How long do inlays and onlays last?
Onlays are very resilient restorations and can be treated like a natural tooth. They do not need any special care, but the natural tooth around them can still suffer from decay and gum disease, so good daily oral habits and regular health checks are what ensure your onlay lasts.
4) Do I need an onlay after root canal treatment?
Usually, yes. A root treated tooth becomes more fragile and needs reinforcing, so a protective covering such as an onlay or crown is provided as part of your root canal treatment plan.
5) Will I need to have impressions taken?
No. We take a digital scan of the reshaped tooth instead, so there are no difficult, gag inducing impressions. The scan is used to craft your onlay precisely, and a provisional restoration protects the tooth while it is being made.
6) Would a normal filling do the job instead?
Sometimes, and when it will, we say so. A white composite filling from £120 is the right fix for smaller cavities. An onlay is for teeth where a filling can no longer provide enough protection, such as a failing large filling or a cracked tooth.