Inlays and Onlaysin Coimbatore
The short answer: Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations that repair teeth with damage too large for a filling but not severe enough for a full crown. They are made from ceramic or composite and bonded in place, conserving more natural tooth than a crown.
Reviewed by Dr. K. Saravanan, MDS (Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics), Reg. LM4646 · Last reviewed 7 November 2026
- Typical time
- Two visits, or one with same-day milling where available
- Recovery
- Little downtime
- Led by
- Dr. K. Saravanan, LM4646
The process
- 1
Removal of decay and old filling
- 2
Impression or digital scan
- 3
Temporary filling while the restoration is made
- 4
Bonding of the final inlay or onlay
Benefits
- Conserves tooth structure
- Strong and precise fit
- Matches tooth colour
Good to know
- More costly than a filling
- Requires two visits in most cases
- Very damaged teeth may still need a crown
Is Partial Crowns (Inlays & Onlays) right for you?
- Teeth with large cavities or old fillings that are failing
- Cracked cusps on back teeth
- Patients who want to avoid a full crown
What affects the cost?
Fees depend on your examination, so we do not quote fixed prices online. The main factors are:
- Ceramic or composite
- Size of the restoration
- Laboratory fees
Your dentist
Dr. K. Saravanan
MDS (Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics) · 9 years experience · Reg. LM4646 · Member, Indian Orthodontic Society
Inlays and Onlays: your questions answered
An onlay covers part of the chewing surface and keeps healthy tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth.
Related treatments
Tooth-Coloured Fillings
A dental filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay by removing the decayed part and filling the space with a tooth-coloured composite material. Early treatment keeps the cavity small and protects the nerve inside the tooth. Larger cavities may need an inlay, onlay or crown instead.
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Crowns & Bridges
A crown is a cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by joining crowns on neighbouring teeth to a false tooth in between. Both are made in a dental laboratory from materials such as zirconia, porcelain or metal-ceramic.
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Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and shapes the canals, and seals them. It is done under local anaesthesia to relieve toothache and avoid extraction. Most teeth need a crown afterwards to protect them from fracture.
Read more →
We welcome patients from R.S. Puram, Gandhipuram, Saibaba Colony, Peelamedu, Race Course, Singanallur and across Coimbatore.