Dental Inlay & Onlay Cost UK 2026: NHS Prices, Private Fees & When You Need One
Dental Inlay & Onlay Cost UK 2026: NHS Prices, Private Fees & When You Need One
Quick answer
A dental inlay costs £300–£700 per tooth privately in the UK in 2026; an onlay costs £400–£900. Both are available on the NHS under Band 3 (£332.10 in England) when clinically necessary, though composite fillings or crowns are more commonly offered. Inlays and onlays last 15–30 years — significantly longer than a direct composite filling (5–10 years) — and are worth the cost for large cavities in high-chewing-load teeth.
Key takeaways
- Ceramic inlays cost £300–£700 per tooth; onlays cost £400–£900 per tooth in the UK.
- On the NHS, inlays and onlays are covered under Band 3 (£332.10) when clinically indicated.
- They last 15–30 years — 2–3 times longer than a direct composite filling.
- An inlay is fitted inside the cusps of a tooth; an onlay extends over one or more cusps.
- The best candidates are large cavities on back teeth where a filling would be too weak and a crown would remove too much healthy tooth structure.
Dental inlays and onlays sit between fillings and crowns in the restorative dentistry spectrum. They are lab-fabricated restorations cemented into a prepared tooth cavity, offering superior strength and longevity compared to direct fillings — at a higher initial cost. This guide covers UK prices for 2026, NHS availability and how to decide whether an inlay, onlay, filling or crown is right for you.
- Ceramic inlay: £300–£700 per tooth
- Ceramic onlay: £400–£900 per tooth
- Gold inlay: £350–£800 per tooth
- Gold onlay: £450–£950 per tooth
- NHS (Band 3): £332.10 when clinically indicated
- Lifespan: 15–30 years (ceramic); 30+ years (gold)
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations — meaning they are fabricated in a dental laboratory (or by a chairside CAD/CAM machine) and then cemented into the tooth, as opposed to direct fillings which are built up and cured in the mouth in a single appointment.
Inlay
An inlay fills the central part of the tooth's biting surface, fitting within the cusps (the raised points). It is used when a cavity is too large for a reliable direct filling but has not damaged the cusps themselves.
Onlay
An onlay extends over one or more of the tooth's cusps, replacing a larger portion of the chewing surface. It is sometimes called a "partial crown" and is used when one or two cusps are damaged in addition to the central cavity.
Overlay
An overlay (or onlay covering all cusps) covers the entire biting surface of the tooth without a full crown. It is the most conservative option when the sides of the tooth (the walls) are intact but the entire top surface needs restoration.
Inlay vs onlay vs filling vs crown
| Direct filling | Inlay | Onlay | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small–medium cavities | Medium cavities between cusps | Medium–large cavities involving cusps | Heavily damaged teeth (50%+ lost) |
| Tooth structure removed | Minimal | Low (cavity only) | Low–moderate | High (all walls reduced) |
| Fabrication | Chair-side (direct) | Lab or CAD/CAM | Lab or CAD/CAM | Lab or CAD/CAM |
| Appointments | 1 | 2 (or 1 with same-day CAD/CAM) | 2 (or 1 with same-day) | 2–3 |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years | 15–30 years | 15–30 years | 10–25 years |
| NHS cost (England) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £332.10 (Band 3) |
| Private cost | £90–£250 | £300–£700 | £400–£900 | £700–£1,500 |
UK dental inlay and onlay prices by material (2026)
Ceramic (porcelain or zirconia) inlays and onlays
Ceramic is the most common material for modern inlays and onlays, offering excellent aesthetics — the restoration matches the surrounding tooth colour. E.max (lithium disilicate) and zirconia are the leading ceramic options for strength in posterior teeth.
| Location | Ceramic inlay | Ceramic onlay |
|---|---|---|
| Central London | £550–£700 | £650–£900 |
| Greater London | £450–£650 | £550–£800 |
| Manchester / Birmingham | £350–£550 | £450–£700 |
| Leeds / Sheffield | £320–£500 | £420–£650 |
| Bristol / Cardiff | £330–£520 | £430–£660 |
| Scotland / Northern England | £300–£480 | £400–£630 |
Gold inlays and onlays
Gold restorations are the most durable option and are particularly well-suited to the high chewing forces on lower molars. They are less commonly placed today due to aesthetic preferences, but remain the gold standard for longevity in posterior teeth.
| Location | Gold inlay | Gold onlay |
|---|---|---|
| Central London | £600–£800 | £700–£950 |
| Outside London | £350–£600 | £450–£750 |
Are inlays and onlays available on the NHS?
Yes — inlays and onlays are available on the NHS when they are the most clinically appropriate restoration. They fall under Band 3 (£332.10 in England). However, in practice, NHS dentists more commonly place direct composite fillings (Band 2, £76.60) or crowns (Band 3, £332.10) rather than inlays, partly because lab-fabricated restorations require more chair time and lab costs that the NHS contract does not fully reimburse.
If you specifically want an inlay or onlay on the NHS, ask your dentist whether it is clinically indicated. They can provide one if it is the most appropriate treatment, but you cannot request a specific material or restoration type purely for aesthetic or preference reasons on the NHS.
The inlay and onlay procedure: step by step
- Consultation and diagnosis (Appointment 1): Your dentist examines the tooth, reviews X-rays and decides whether an inlay, onlay or alternative is most suitable.
- Tooth preparation: The cavity is cleaned out and the tooth is shaped to receive the inlay or onlay. Less reduction is needed than for a crown.
- Impression or digital scan: A traditional impression (or digital scan) of the prepared tooth is taken and sent to the dental laboratory.
- Temporary restoration: A temporary filling or temporary inlay protects the tooth while the laboratory fabricates the final restoration (1–2 weeks).
- Fitting appointment (Appointment 2): The inlay or onlay is checked for fit, bite and appearance, then cemented permanently.
Same-day inlays: Practices with CEREC or similar CAD/CAM technology can scan, design and mill a ceramic inlay in a single appointment (1.5–2.5 hours). Same-day inlays are slightly more expensive (add £50–£150) but eliminate the temporary stage and second appointment.
Are inlays and onlays worth the cost?
For large cavities on molar teeth, the cost case for an inlay or onlay is compelling:
- A direct composite filling on a large molar cavity may last only 5–7 years before fracturing or leaking, requiring replacement or — if the tooth deteriorates — a crown.
- A ceramic inlay lasts 15–30 years and distributes bite forces more evenly across the tooth, reducing the risk of fracture.
- Over a 30-year period, 4–6 replacement composite fillings at £150–£250 each = £600–£1,500 total. A single ceramic inlay at £450–£600 may be cheaper over the same period if it lasts.
The case is stronger if you have a heavy bite, grind your teeth (bruxism), or have a history of fillings fracturing. Ask your dentist to explain why they are recommending a particular restoration type for your specific tooth.
For related cost information see our guides to inlays and onlays treatment, dental filling costs and dental crown costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental inlay cost in the UK?
A ceramic dental inlay costs £300–£700 per tooth at private dentists in the UK in 2026. Gold inlays cost £350–£800. On the NHS in England, inlays are covered under Band 3 (£332.10) when clinically necessary, though NHS dentists more commonly place direct composite fillings or crowns.
What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?
An inlay fits within the cusps of a tooth (the raised points), replacing the central part of the tooth surface. An onlay extends over one or more cusps, covering a larger area. Both are lab-fabricated restorations that are cemented into place — unlike direct fillings which are built up chair-side.
Are inlays or onlays better than crowns?
Inlays and onlays preserve more healthy tooth structure than crowns, which require removing most of the tooth. If 50–75% of the tooth surface is damaged, an onlay is usually the better choice over a crown. If more than 75% is damaged, a crown is needed.
How long do dental inlays last?
Ceramic inlays and onlays last 15–30 years with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups — much longer than direct composite fillings (5–10 years). Gold inlays can last 30+ years.