Ceramic Inlay / Onlay / Overlay

A laboratory-made ceramic restoration that rebuilds a tooth too damaged for a simple filling but not requiring a full crown — fitting precisely into or over the prepared area to restore strength and shape. Inlays sit within the tooth, onlays and overlays cover one or more cusps. Made to biomimetic principles, they are durable and blend naturally. The clinic offers a lower-cost composite version for suitable cases.

An inlay, onlay or overlay is a custom-made restoration used when a tooth — usually a back tooth — has too much damage or decay to be repaired with a direct filling, but still has enough healthy structure that a full crown would be unnecessarily destructive. An inlay fits neatly within the chewing surface of the tooth; an onlay extends to cover one or more of the cusps (the raised points); and an overlay covers the whole biting surface. Together they are sometimes called partial crowns, because they restore the tooth conservatively while protecting the parts that remain. At Klinika Delicadent these restorations are produced in ceramic and placed following biomimetic principles, the focus of Dominik Gordon's adhesive dentistry — the goal being to rebuild the tooth so it looks and functions like natural enamel and distributes biting forces well. Treatment typically takes two visits: the dentist removes the decay or old filling and shapes the cavity, takes a precise impression, and fits a temporary while the laboratory crafts the restoration, which is then bonded firmly into place at the second appointment. Because the fit is made in the laboratory rather than built up by hand in the mouth, inlays and onlays can offer excellent accuracy and a hard-wearing, stain-resistant surface that blends with the surrounding tooth. The clinic also offers a more economical composite version, and uses anatomical biomimetic build-ups where a directly placed restoration is the better choice. The dentist will advise which option suits the size and position of the damage and explain how to care for the restoration afterwards.