Inlays and onlays: what to ask first.
The questions that let you judge any dentist, lab, material, and quote for an inlay or onlay, at home or abroad. Information only. We never name a clinic, we teach you how to choose one.
before you commit
often two visits
indicative, varies with care
What should I ask first?
Before you agree, confirm whether an inlay or onlay is genuinely the right restoration for your tooth rather than a filling or a crown, ask what material will be used and why, who makes the restoration and how it is fitted, and what the full price and guarantee are. The questions below are designed so you can judge any dentist you are sent, since we never name one ourselves.
This is general guidance to help you ask better questions, reviewed June 2025. It is not dental advice and not a substitute for an examination by a qualified dentist.
Eight questions before you commit.
Ask all eight and keep the answers. A good dentist welcomes them. Vague replies, pressure, and prices far below the market are the signs that matter most.
When to walk away.
The warning signs are rarely subtle. Pressure and vagueness are the loudest two.
Some answers should make you pause. Be wary of a clinic that pushes a crown when a smaller restoration may do, or the reverse, that will not say what material is used or who makes the restoration, or that quotes far below the rest of the market. Be cautious of pressure to decide on the day, of no written guarantee, and of a refusal to explain how a problem would be fixed once you are home. A dentist who will not put the diagnosis, the material, the price, and the guarantee in writing is showing you how they will behave if something goes wrong.
Trust your discomfort. The work is elective in many cases, and a good clinic will respect your need to take it slowly.
Now you know what to ask, compare safely.
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The things everyone asks.
What is the difference between an inlay and an onlay?
An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth, much like a filling, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps to cover a larger area of damage. Both are made outside the mouth and bonded into place.
Are inlays and onlays better than fillings?
For moderate damage they can be stronger and longer lasting than a direct filling, and indirect restorations show good longevity in studies. For a small cavity a simple filling may be enough. It is a clinical decision for your dentist, not a fixed rule.
How long do inlays and onlays last?
An indicative average is often quoted as ten to fifteen years, with a wider reported range, depending on the material, your bite, and how well you care for the tooth. These figures are indicative and reviewed June 2025, not a guarantee.
How do I check a dentist abroad is legitimate?
Ask for the dentist's full name and registration number and verify it on the country's official register. Look for recognised facility standards and any national health tourism authorisation.
What should be in writing before I agree?
The diagnosis and why this restoration suits your tooth, the material, the number of visits, the total price and what it includes, and the guarantee and how a problem would be handled.
Where to go next.
Inlays and Onlays
Procedure hubWhat inlays and onlays are, who they suit, honest costs, and how to choose safely.
Dental treatment abroad safety
GuideHow to weigh the risks and choose safely for dental work in another country.
Questions to ask before booking
GuideThe universal questions to ask any clinic before you pay a deposit.
When your questions are answered, you can Get Matched with vetted clinics, or browse all procedures.
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