---
title: "Inlays & Onlays: Procedure, Recovery & Lifespan"
description: What inlays and onlays involve step by step, how long recovery takes, how long they last and the risks to know. NHS £332.10, private from £300.
canonical: "https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/treatments/inlays-onlays"
format: text/markdown alternate of the HTML page at canonical
reviewed: 2026-09-26
publisher: Dentist Cost UK — independent UK dental price guide, not a dental practice
prices_effective: 2026-04-01
sources:
  - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/
  - https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-dental-costs
  - https://111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/dentalservices
  - https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/receiving-nhs-dental-treatment-in-scotland/
  - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/dental-costs
  - https://www.mytribeinsurance.co.uk/treatment/cost-of-private-dental-treatment-uk
---

## Inlays & Onlays

URL: https://www.dentistcost.co.uk/treatments/inlays-onlays
Category: Restorative

> Dental inlays and onlays in the UK cost £332.10 on the NHS (Band 3 in England) or £300–£1,000 privately. Composite inlays are the cheapest at £300–£600; porcelain/ceramic £400–£800; gold inlays £500–£1,000. They are the middle option between a direct filling and a full crown, lasting 10–15 years for ceramic and 20+ years for gold.

Inlays sit within the cusps of a tooth, onlays cover one or more cusps. Made from porcelain or gold in a dental lab and bonded into place, they last longer than direct fillings and preserve more tooth than a crown.

### Key facts

- NHS England (Band 3): £332.10
- Composite inlay/onlay: £300–£600
- Porcelain/ceramic: £400–£800
- Gold: £500–£1,000
- Lifespan: 10–15 years (gold 20+)
- 2 appointments required (1–2 weeks apart)

### Price summary

**NHS (England):** £332.10 (Band 3)
**NHS (Wales):** £140.44 package + laboratory charges
**NHS (Scotland):** 80% of item-of-service fee, max £384
**NHS (Northern Ireland):** item-of-service charge


### Private cost ranges (UK 2026)

| Option | UK average | Central London |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Composite inlay/onlay | £300–£600 | £400–£800 |
| Porcelain/ceramic inlay | £400–£800 | £500–£1,000 |
| Gold inlay | £500–£1,000 | £700–£1,300 |

_Ceramic inlays last 10–15 years or more — significantly longer than direct fillings._


### What affects the cost
- Material
- Lab fees
- Size of the restoration

### What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are the “middle ground” between direct fillings and full crowns — they cover larger cavities than a filling can handle while preserving more tooth structure than a crown. UK patients usually choose private inlays when they want longer-lasting restorations for back teeth without the cost of a crown.

### Who needs this treatment?

- Patients with cavities too large for a direct filling but with enough tooth left to avoid a crown
- Anyone replacing failing large amalgam fillings
- Patients with cracked cusps that need coverage
- People wanting the longest-lasting restoration available

### What does the procedure involve?

Two visits 1–2 weeks apart. Visit 1 (60 minutes): tooth prepared, impression or digital scan, temporary filling fitted. Visit 2 (30–45 minutes): temporary removed, inlay/onlay tried in, bonded with resin cement.

### Recovery time

Mild sensitivity for 1–2 weeks. Avoid sticky foods on the temporary filling. Once cemented, eat normally immediately.

### How long does it last?

Ceramic inlays last 10–15 years; gold inlays often 20+ years. Composite inlays last 8–12 years. Significantly longer than direct fillings (5–10 years).

### When is this treatment available on the NHS?

Covered by the NHS Band 3 charge (£332.10) when clinically indicated. NHS dentists often offer direct fillings (Band 2, £76.60) as the first-line option even when an inlay would be more conservative.

### How to save money on this treatment

- Use NHS Band 3 if available — £332.10 covers lab fees
- Composite inlay (£300–£600) is cheaper than ceramic (£400–£800)
- Combine with other Band 3 treatment in one course of treatment
- Get a quote breakdown — lab fees vary £100+ between practices

### Does dental insurance cover this?

Most UK dental insurance covers inlays and onlays at 50–70% reimbursement up to annual limits.

### Risks and side effects

- Sensitivity for 1–2 weeks
- Need for crown later if the tooth fractures
- Cement failure leading to debonding (rare)
- Cost is significantly more than direct fillings

### Red flags to watch for

- Crown recommended where an inlay or onlay would suffice
- Lab fees inflated beyond £200 for standard cases

### FAQs

**Q: Inlay or crown?**
A: Inlays preserve more tooth structure but require enough remaining cusps. Crowns are necessary when less than 50% of the tooth is left. If at least 50–60% of the natural tooth structure is intact and the cusps are not fractured, an inlay or onlay is nearly always the better, more conservative choice.

**Q: How long does an inlay last?**
A: Ceramic inlays last 10–15 years with good oral hygiene; gold inlays often exceed 20 years. Both significantly outlast direct composite fillings (5–10 years).

**Q: Why are inlays more expensive than fillings?**
A: Three reasons: lab fees (a dental laboratory fabricates the restoration), two clinical appointments, and the time required for preparation, impression and cementation. A private composite inlay typically costs £300–£600 vs £90–£180 for a direct filling.

**Q: Can my dentist make an inlay in one visit?**
A: Yes, if the practice has a CEREC (chairside milling) machine. Same-day ceramic inlays are milled from a block in the surgery — no temporary filling needed. The cost is similar to lab-made; the advantage is convenience.

**Q: Are gold inlays really worth it?**
A: For back teeth under heavy bite load, gold remains the most durable inlay material available — lasting 20+ years and wearing at the same rate as natural enamel. The only drawback is the gold colour. For patients who want the longest-lasting option and don't mind visibility, gold is the best choice.

**Q: What is the NHS cost of an inlay or onlay?**
A: On the NHS in England, inlays and onlays fall under Band 3 (£332.10). This covers the lab fees and both clinical appointments. In Scotland adults pay 80% of the item fee (capped at £384 per course) and under-26s pay nothing. In Wales inlays and onlays fall under the £140.44 package plus laboratory charges.

**Q: What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?**
A: An inlay fits within the cusps (raised points) of a back tooth, filling a cavity in the centre. An onlay covers one or more cusps in addition to filling the cavity — it's a larger restoration used when a cusp is cracked or there is insufficient tooth structure between the cusps. Both are made in a lab and bonded in; an onlay is sometimes called a 'partial crown'.

**Q: How much does an onlay cost in the UK?**
A: On the NHS, an onlay costs £332.10 (Band 3 in England). Privately, composite onlays cost £350–£650; ceramic (porcelain/Emax) onlays cost £450–£900; gold onlays cost £550–£1,100. London prices run 25–40% higher.

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