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Home / Restorative Dentistry / Dental Inlays and Onlays
Custom inlays and onlays at New Day Dental & Medical Aesthetics repair back teeth with damage too large for a filling, while keeping more natural tooth than a full crown.
Conservative
Only the damaged part of the tooth is restored
Custom made
Shaped from a detailed digital scan of your tooth
Tooth-colored
Ceramic or composite matched to your shade
In-network
with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield
Inlays and onlays
A cracked molar or a cavity that has worn down the chewing surface can make every meal feel risky. You might avoid crunchy foods or keep finding a rough edge with your tongue. When the damage is too large for a simple filling but the tooth does not need a full crown, there is an option in between.
An inlay fits inside the grooves of a back tooth, between the raised points called cusps. An onlay extends over one or more cusps to protect a larger area, which is why onlays are sometimes called partial crowns. Both are made outside the mouth from ceramic or composite and bonded into place. At New Day Dental & Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Jordan Tucker uses them to restore only what needs repair, as part of our restorative dentistry care.
Benefits
Inlays and onlays sit between fillings and crowns. Here is why they are often recommended for moderately damaged back teeth.
Only the damaged portion is restored, so healthy structure that a crown would remove can stay in place.
Conservative repair
Each restoration is shaped from a digital scan, so it matches the prepared area closely and seals the tooth.
Made for your tooth
Bonding the restoration to the tooth helps support the remaining structure, not just fill a gap.
Supports the tooth
Ceramic and composite materials are shade-matched so the repair blends with the teeth around it.
Tooth-colored
Cracked or worn metal fillings can often be replaced with a tooth-colored inlay or onlay.
Filling replacement
When enough healthy tooth remains, an onlay can protect the cusps without covering the whole tooth.
Dental crowns
Been told a tooth needs a crown? Ask whether an onlay could work instead. Book an appointment
How it works
Inlays and onlays are usually placed over two visits, with a temporary filling protecting the tooth in between. Here is what to expect.
Dr. Tucker checks the tooth and uses 3D imaging to see how far decay or cracks extend.
After the area is numbed, decay and damaged structure are removed and the tooth is shaped to receive the restoration.
A detailed digital scan captures the prepared tooth, and a temporary filling protects it while your restoration is made.
At your second visit, the inlay or onlay is checked for fit, adjusted if needed, bonded in place, and polished.
Why size matters
The right restoration depends on the size and location of the cavity, and tooth-colored composite fillings are suited to small and mid-size repairs, according to the American Dental Association. When damage goes beyond that, a stronger indirect restoration like an inlay or onlay may protect the tooth better.
Why New Day Dental
Restoring only what needs repair takes careful planning. Here is what supports that at our Cary office.
Digital scans and CBCT 3D imaging help us see the damage clearly and design a restoration that fits. See more of our technology.
Our approach is to keep as much natural tooth as possible, which is exactly what inlays and onlays are designed to do.
Fillings, inlays, onlays, CEREC crowns, and root canal treatment are all available here, so the tooth gets the repair it actually needs.
Candidacy
These restorations suit back teeth with moderate damage and enough healthy structure left to support them. Your exam confirms the fit.
Small cavities are usually repaired with a tooth filling. If most of the tooth is damaged, a dental crown may protect it better, and an infected tooth may need root canal treatment first.
Insurance & payment
The cost of an inlay or onlay depends on the size of the restoration, the material, and how many teeth are treated. Our team reviews your out-of-pocket cost with you before treatment begins.
Many dental plans cover part of an inlay or onlay when it repairs decay or damage. We accept most major PPO plans, are in-network with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and verify your benefits before treatment.
No insurance? Our in-house plan covers preventive care and adds discounts on additional treatment for one flat annual fee. See the VIP Membership Plan
Financing options are available if you need several restorations at once, so you can spread the cost over time. Ask our team about options at your visit.
After your visit
Caring for an inlay or onlay is much like caring for your natural teeth. These habits help it last.
CEREC
same-day trained
Your dentist
Owner & lead dentist
Dr. Tucker completed undergraduate studies as a scholarship student-athlete and went on to earn a dental degree from West Virginia University. Before leading New Day Dental & Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Tucker owned a private practice and served as clinical faculty, mentoring future dental professionals.
Dr. Tucker takes a conservative approach to restorative care, aiming to keep as much natural tooth as possible. Training in CEREC same-day restorations and CBCT cone beam imaging supports careful diagnosis and precise digital design, whether a tooth needs an inlay, an onlay, or a crown. Read Dr. Tucker’s full bio
Patient reviews
FAQ
Do not see your question here? Call us and our team will help.
An inlay fits inside the grooves of the chewing surface. An onlay also covers one or more cusps. A crown covers the entire visible tooth. The choice depends on how much of the tooth is damaged.
The area is numbed before the tooth is prepared, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is common.
Inlays and onlays are usually placed over two visits. The tooth is prepared and scanned at the first, and the custom restoration is bonded at the second, with a temporary filling in between.
Often, yes. If an old metal filling has cracked or worn down and the tooth still has enough healthy structure, a tooth-colored inlay or onlay can be a sturdy replacement.
With good care, inlays and onlays can last for many years. Brushing, flossing, avoiding hard objects, and keeping up with routine exams and cleanings all help protect them.
Many dental plans cover part of an inlay or onlay. We are in-network with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield, accept most major PPO plans, and verify your benefits first. Patients without insurance can use our VIP Membership Plan.
Get started
Dr. Jordan Tucker restores damaged back teeth with custom inlays and onlays, and offers fillings and CEREC crowns in the same Cary office, with in-network coverage for Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Call (919) 701-2922 or complete our contact form to schedule your visit. We welcome patients from Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and across Wake County.
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1223 Parkside Main St.
Cary, NC 27519
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