Inlays and Onlays

Small Restoration, Big Impact

Your smile is one of your most valuable assets, allowing you to express joy, confidence, and individuality with the world around you. However, when damaged or decayed teeth detract from your smile’s radiance, it can seriously affect your self-esteem and overall well-being. If you live in or around the Hampton Roads area and struggle with cracked, chipped, or cavity-ridden teeth, dental onlays and inlays may be the right solution for you. The compassionate dentists at The Foleck Center are here to help, just one call can start you on the journey toward a rejuvenated smile and the renewed positivity that comes with it.

Dental lab technician crafting a custom restoration using a tooth colored shade guide at The Foleck Center's in-house dental lab

Patient admiring her smile in a hand mirror during a restorative dentistry visit in Hampton Roads

What are dental inlays?

A dental inlay is a solid piece of composite material or porcelain used to fill a decayed or damaged area within the grooves of a tooth. Inlays are considered an ideal solution for treating cavities or cracks that are too large for a standard filling but not extensive enough to require a full dental crown.

The inlay is fabricated in a dental laboratory to fit the prepared area of your tooth precisely. During the procedure at The Foleck Center in the Hampton Roads area, your dentist will remove any decayed or damaged tooth structure and shape the area to accommodate the inlay restoration. Impressions are taken from your tooth and used to create a model from which your custom inlay is crafted. When complete, the inlay is cemented, restoring the tooth’s function and appearance.

Ceramic materials offer benefits such as color matching and wear resistance, and advancements in manufacturing technology like CAD-CAM have improved the creation of these restorations.

Dental Inlays Candidacy

You may be a candidate for a dental inlay if you have a cavity, crack, or areas of tooth decay that extend below the cusps (top edges) of your tooth but are not extensive enough to require a full dental crown. Only teeth that can withstand the bonding process required for inlay placement are eligible.

Further tooth preparation may be necessary to ensure a proper fit for the inlay, especially in cases of extensive tooth decay. Your dentist at The Foleck Center will examine your tooth during an initial consultation to determine if an inlay is the right choice for you.

Dentist examining a patient's teeth with a mirror and explorer during a restorative dentistry visit in Hampton Roads

What are dental onlays?

Similar to inlays, dental onlays are fabricated from tooth-colored materials like composite resin or porcelain, and can also be made from composite and ceramic inlays. Composite resins offer aesthetic benefits as they can be color-matched to natural teeth.

Onlays are more extensive restorations that cover one or more cusps of the affected tooth. They are often called “partial crowns” as they encompass a larger area than inlays while preserving more healthy tooth structure than a full crown would require. Onlays cover the tooth surface above the gum line, providing a durable and aesthetic restoration.

The procedure for placing an onlay is comparable to inlays. After shaping the damaged tooth region, your dentist takes impressions to make a customized onlay. The restoration is cemented onto the tooth once completed, sealing any cracks or areas of decay while restoring proper tooth anatomy and chewing function.

Dental Onlays Candidacy

You may need a dental onlay from The Foleck Center if you have significant damage, more extensive tooth decay, or cracks affecting one or more of your tooth’s cusps. Because onlays are more invasive than inlays, there must be enough healthy tooth structure to support and retain the restoration.

The success of an onlay depends on having sufficient remaining tooth structure to support the restoration. Onlays are often recommended as an alternative to full dental crowns when possible, as they allow your dentist to conserve more of your natural tooth.

Customized Care for Every Smile

At The Foleck Center, we believe every smile tells a story—and sometimes, that story includes trauma, cavities, or fractures that compromise the function and appearance of the tooth. In cases where fillings aren’t enough and full crowns are too aggressive, inlays and onlays offer an ideal middle ground. These restorations preserve the healthy part of the tooth structure while strengthening weakened areas and restoring natural anatomy.

Whether you’re dealing with tooth damage caused by decay, bruxism, or injury, our experienced dentists offer inlays and onlays as a conservative and effective solution. The careful design of each inlay or onlay ensures a seamless fit that supports proper occlusion, maintains chewing function, and blends beautifully with your natural teeth.

Woman smiling confidently in a floral top, representing the healthy smiles achieved through restorative dentistry in the Hampton Roads community

Quality Materials, Long-Term Results

We use only the highest-quality porcelain and composite materials when creating your restoration. These pieces are carefully color-matched to your surrounding teeth for a discreet and natural appearance. The materials also offer excellent resistance to staining and wear, helping preserve both function and aesthetics over time.

The precision of laboratory-crafted restorations ensures that your inlay or onlay fits perfectly within or over the affected area of the tooth. This meticulous process supports long-term oral health, reduces the risk of future fractures, and helps protect against the progression of caries.

Choosing the Right Option

Selecting the right type of restoration—whether an inlay, onlay, or crown—depends on several factors, including the extent of damage, the health of the tooth structure, and your overall oral health goals. During your consultation, our team will assess your unique needs and explain your options in detail, helping you make an informed decision.

We treat patients throughout the Hampton Roads Region, including Virginia Beach, Hampton, and Norfolk, offering personalized treatment plans tailored to every stage of dental health. If you’re seeking a durable, minimally invasive restoration that preserves your smile’s functionality and appearance, inlays and onlays may be the right option for you.

Patient smiling in the treatment chair before a restorative dentistry procedure in Hampton Roads

Frequently Asked Questions

Family sharing a joyful embrace outdoors, reflecting the confidence restorative dentistry can bring in the Hampton Roads community

What is the difference between inlays, onlays, and crowns?

Inlays are small fillings that fit inside the grooves of a tooth, while onlays cover the cusps/biting edges. Crowns are caps that entirely encase a tooth above the gumline.

How long do inlays and onlays last?

With proper care, inlays and onlays can last 20 to 30 years before requiring replacement.

Do inlays and onlays require special care?

No, simply brushing twice and flossing once daily, along with regular cleanings is sufficient. Avoid biting hard objects.

Stronger Than Fillings, More Conservative Than Crowns

Don’t let cracked, damaged, or decayed teeth hold you back from the confident, radiant smile you deserve any longer. Whether you live here in Hampton, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach, the dedicated team at The Foleck Center has the skill and compassion to restore your smile’s health and beauty.

One call can start you on the path to revitalizing your teeth with durable, natural-looking inlays, onlays, and other state-of-the-art restorations. Contact us to learn more!

Request Appointment