Fillings, inlays and onlays: keeping your own tooth

We repair a decayed or damaged tooth while keeping as much of your own tooth as possible. A small defect gets a tooth-coloured filling, a larger one a ceramic insert made in a laboratory.

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When is it a good choice?

Your dentist has found decay, or a tooth has become sensitive to sweet or cold things.
An old filling is worn, broken or discoloured.
A back tooth has a large defect, but does not need a crown yet.
You would like to replace an old, dark filling with a tooth-coloured one.

Why is it important to treat decay early?

Decay does not hurt at first, so it is often found only at a check-up. If it is left untreated, it goes deeper and can reach the nerve of the tooth. Then you may need root canal treatment.

The earlier we treat it, the smaller the procedure and the more of your own tooth is kept. That is why it is worth coming for regular check-ups, even when nothing hurts.

Tooth-coloured fillings

A tooth-coloured filling, known as a composite filling, can be matched to the colour of your tooth, so it hardly differs from a natural tooth. We build it up in layers and harden each layer with light. This method bonds well to the tooth, which allows gentler preparation.

For small and medium defects this is the first choice, on front teeth and back teeth alike. The filling is completed in one appointment.

Inlays and onlays

If the defect is larger, a ceramic insert made in a laboratory may be the better solution. An inlay fills the cavity inside the tooth, while an onlay also replaces part of the chewing surface, such as a broken cusp.

The insert is made individually from an impression, so it fits precisely. It withstands heavy chewing forces well, and its colour stays stable. It is often a good alternative to a crown, because less of the healthy tooth has to be removed.

The treatment takes two appointments. At the first we prepare the tooth and take an impression, and at the second we bond the finished insert.

The decision depends on the size of the defect, the position of the tooth and the chewing forces. For small decay, a filling is always the right choice, and an insert would be unnecessary. But if a large part of the tooth wall is missing, a filling is more likely to break, and an insert can be the more lasting solution. After the examination we explain what speaks for each.

Who carries out the treatment?

Fillings are done by both Dr Olivér Muskát and Dr Babett Kenyeres. Inlays and onlays belong to prosthetics, so they are typically planned and made by Dr Babett Kenyeres.

What to expect afterwards

The anaesthetic wears off within a few hours. Until then do not eat, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. The treated tooth may be sensitive to cold for a few days, which usually passes by itself.

If your bite feels high, let us know and we will correct it at a short appointment.

Aftercare

The edge of a filling or insert is the most vulnerable point of the tooth. Decay can start again here if plaque is left on it. So:

brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste;
clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes;
go for regular check-ups and hygiene visits.

Your dentist

Dr Olivér Muskát

Leading dentist · Implantology · Oral surgery

Dr Olivér Muskát places dental implants and carries out oral surgery: from tooth extraction and wisdom tooth removal, through bone grafting and sinus lift, to the implants that carry a full set of teeth. He plans procedures from a 3D scan made on site, and tells you what will happen before each step.

Meet the dentist

Dr Babett Kenyeres

Dentist · Prosthetics · Aesthetic dentistry

Dr Babett Kenyeres plans and makes dental restorations: crowns, bridges, porcelain and composite veneers, as well as removable and implant-retained dentures. She aims for a restoration that chews well, feels comfortable, and fits naturally with your face and smile.

Meet the dentist

Treatment steps

Examination
We examine the tooth and, if needed, take an X-ray. This shows how large the damage is and which solution is better.
Preparation
Under local anaesthetic, and without pain, we remove the decayed part and clean the tooth.
Filling or impression
For a smaller defect, we build up the tooth-coloured filling in layers and harden it. For an inlay or onlay, we take an impression and you get a temporary filling.
Bonding and fine-tuning
At the next appointment we bond the insert made in the laboratory. Finally we check your bite and polish the surface smooth.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?

Both are inserts made in a laboratory. An inlay fills the cavity inside the tooth, while an onlay also replaces part of the chewing surface, such as a cusp.

Why is an insert sometimes better than a filling?

For a large defect, an insert made in the laboratory fits more precisely and withstands chewing forces better. It can also be a good alternative to a crown, as less of the healthy tooth has to be removed.

Do I have to replace my old, dark fillings?

Not necessarily. If an old filling is intact and sealed well, it does not need replacing. If it is damaged, leaking or bothers you for cosmetic reasons, we discuss the options after the examination.