Last updated: June 2026. Written by the Dentists Closeby editorial team. Sources: NHS.uk, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), and peer-reviewed dental research (see Sources at the end).
TL;DR: Dental inlays and onlays are laboratory-made restorations for teeth too damaged for a filling but not needing a full crown. On the NHS they fall under Band 3, costing £332.10 in England from April 2026. Privately, expect roughly £300 to £800 per tooth depending on the material, usually less than a crown.
If your dentist has mentioned an inlay or an onlay, you are probably sitting in the awkward middle ground of dental repair: the damage is too big for a simple filling, but your tooth is not broken enough to justify grinding it down for a crown. Understanding what these restorations cost, and why an NHS inlay sits in the same charge band as a crown, helps you weigh up your options before you commit. This guide explains every cost, on the NHS and privately, along with the materials, the procedure, and how long they last.
What are dental inlays and onlays?
Dental inlays and onlays are indirect restorations, which means they are made in a dental laboratory (or milled by a machine) and then bonded onto your tooth, rather than being shaped directly in your mouth like a filling. They are used to repair back teeth (molars and premolars) that have moderate to large decay or damage, where a standard filling would not be strong or durable enough.
An inlay fits inside the biting surface of the tooth, in the area between the raised points called cusps. It restores the centre of the tooth without covering the cusps themselves. An inlay is used when the cavity is large but the cusps are still structurally sound.
An onlay covers one or more of the tooth's cusps as well as the central biting surface. It is sometimes called a "partial crown" because it extends over the cusp tips to protect them, but, unlike a crown, it does not cover the entire tooth. An onlay is the right choice when a cusp is cracked, worn, or weakened but enough healthy tooth remains to avoid a full crown.
Inlay vs onlay: the simple difference
The single distinction worth remembering is coverage. An inlay sits within the cusps; an onlay sits over them. Both preserve far more of your natural tooth than a crown does, because the dentist removes only the damaged portion rather than reshaping the whole tooth.
The table below shows where inlays and onlays sit on the spectrum of tooth repair, from the smallest fix to the most extensive.
| Restoration | How much tooth it covers | How it is made | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct filling | Inside the cavity only | Shaped in your mouth in one visit | Small to moderate decay |
| Inlay | The area between the cusps | Made in a lab, then bonded in | Larger decay between cusps, cusps intact |
| Onlay | One or more cusps plus the centre | Made in a lab, then bonded in | A weakened or cracked cusp, healthy tooth remaining |
| Crown | The entire visible tooth | Made in a lab, cemented over a reshaped tooth | Extensive damage, post root canal, heavily broken tooth |
Because inlays and onlays preserve more of your own tooth, many dentists regard them as the more conservative choice when there is enough healthy structure to support them. If you want to understand how this fits alongside other repairs, our guides to dental filling costs and dental crown costs cover the options either side of an inlay or onlay.
How much do inlays and onlays cost in the UK?
The price of an inlay or onlay depends almost entirely on whether you have the treatment on the NHS or privately, and, if private, on the material you choose. Here is the headline answer for both routes.
NHS cost: Band 3 at £332.10
On the NHS in England, inlays and onlays are Band 3 treatments, which cost £332.10 per course of treatment from 1 April 2026 [1][3]. The NHS.uk guidance on dental band charges explicitly lists "restoring damaged teeth with inlays and onlays" under Band 3, alongside crowns, dentures, and bridges [1].
NHS dental charges in England work across three bands, and a Band 3 charge covers any treatment in the lower bands carried out during the same course. The full structure for 2026 is shown below.
| NHS band (England) | Charge from April 2026 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, advice |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Everything in Band 1, plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures, bridges, inlays and onlays |
Crucially, you pay only one charge per course of treatment, even if it takes several appointments to finish [2]. If your dentist carries out a Band 2 procedure and a Band 3 inlay in the same course, you pay only the single Band 3 charge of £332.10 [2]. For the full picture of how the bands work, see our complete guide to how NHS dental charges work.
There is an important practical point here. Because an NHS inlay or onlay costs exactly the same as an NHS crown (both Band 3), there is no NHS saving in choosing the more conservative inlay. The benefit of an inlay over a crown on the NHS is clinical, in preserving your tooth, not financial.
Private inlay and onlay costs by material
Privately, the cost varies with the material used. The figures below are indicative market ranges across UK practices in 2026, not fixed prices, and they are not drawn from an official source. London and other high-cost areas sit at the top of each range, and prices vary considerably between practices.
| Material | Indicative private cost (per tooth) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | £300 to £600 | The most affordable option; tooth-coloured |
| Ceramic or porcelain | £400 to £800 | The most common private choice; natural appearance |
| Gold | £500 to £1,000 | Exceptionally durable; less widely offered |
Always ask for a written quotation before agreeing to private treatment, and check whether it includes the laboratory fee, follow-up visits, and any guarantee. Our overview of private dentist prices in the UK explains how to compare quotations across practices.
How inlay and onlay costs compare to crowns
Privately, an inlay or onlay is usually cheaper than a crown for the same tooth, because it needs less tooth preparation, less laboratory material, and is generally less technically demanding. Private crowns in the UK typically cost from around £500 for porcelain-fused-to-metal up to £1,200 or more for all-ceramic options, and higher again in central London.
This is the opposite of the NHS picture. On the NHS, an onlay and a crown cost the same £332.10. Privately, the onlay tends to be the lower-cost option as well as the more tooth-preserving one. If you are weighing the two, our dental crowns cost guide sets out crown prices in full so you can compare like with like.
Are inlays and onlays available on the NHS?
Yes. Inlays and onlays are a defined Band 3 NHS treatment, and a dentist can provide them on the NHS where they are clinically appropriate [1][4]. In practice, though, whether you are offered one depends on the size of the damage.
The NHSBSA, which oversees NHS dental claims, advises dentists that indirect restorations such as inlays are intended for "moderate to large amounts of tissue destruction" [4]. Its provider guidance states that providing an inlay for a small cavity "would be expected to be relatively rare and a direct alternative generally considered appropriate" [4]. In plain terms, if a filling can reasonably do the job, an NHS dentist is expected to place a filling rather than claim Band 3 for an inlay.
Where a dentist does recommend an NHS inlay or onlay, they should document why, including a note that they discussed the alternatives with you [4]. If you specifically want an inlay or onlay as a more conservative alternative to a crown, raise it directly with your dentist. You can also choose to have the treatment done privately even at an NHS practice, as NHS dentists are allowed to discuss private alternatives with you [2].
The reality of NHS access matters here too. With many practices stretched and waiting lists long, getting any non-urgent restorative treatment can take time. Our guide to finding a good dentist in the UK covers how to find a practice taking NHS patients in your area.
Free NHS dental treatment: who pays nothing
If you qualify for free NHS dental treatment, you pay nothing for a Band 3 inlay or onlay, even though the standard charge is £332.10. The following groups are entitled to free NHS dental care in England [5].
- Anyone aged under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education.
- People who are pregnant when treatment starts, or who have had a baby in the previous 12 months.
- People receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- People receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
- People receiving Universal Credit, where earnings fall below the qualifying threshold (not all Universal Credit claimants automatically qualify).
- Holders of a valid NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate (full help) or HC3 certificate (partial help).
You will need to show proof of eligibility, such as a maternity exemption certificate, a benefits award notice, or an HC2 certificate. For the complete eligibility rules and how to apply, read our dedicated guide to free NHS dental treatment.
Inlay and onlay materials compared
The material you choose privately affects the appearance, the strength, the lifespan, and the cost of your restoration. There are three main options.
Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material that bonds to the tooth and requires relatively little tooth removal. It is the least expensive option and gives a good aesthetic result, but it is less durable than ceramic or gold and is more prone to staining and wear over time. It suits patients prioritising cost and a natural look on teeth that do not face the heaviest bite forces.
Ceramic or porcelain is the most popular private choice. It closely mimics the translucency and colour of natural enamel, resists staining, and is strong enough for back teeth. Modern ceramics such as lithium disilicate are highly wear-resistant. The trade-off is that ceramic can chip under very heavy grinding and is harder on the opposing teeth than composite.
Gold is the most durable material of the three and is gentle on the teeth it bites against, but its metallic colour makes it visible, so it is used mainly on molars at the back of the mouth where appearance matters less. Gold inlays are less commonly offered in UK practices today, largely because most patients prefer a tooth-coloured result.
| Material | Appearance | Durability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | Tooth-coloured | Moderate | Budget-conscious patients, moderate bite forces |
| Ceramic or porcelain | Natural, translucent | High | Most patients wanting strength and aesthetics |
| Gold | Metallic | Very high | Back molars, heavy grinders, maximum longevity |
How long do inlays and onlays last?
Inlays and onlays are durable restorations, and the material is the main factor in how long they last. Clinical studies give a reasonable guide to their lifespan, though good oral hygiene and regular check-ups make a real difference.
Composite inlays and onlays typically last from around 5 to 12 years. A prospective study following 60 indirect composite restorations recorded 100% success at six years and 85% success at nine years, with most failures appearing only in the later years [7].
Ceramic inlays and onlays generally last 10 to 15 years or more. A 14-year study of leucite-reinforced ceramic restorations found an 88% survival rate over that period [8], and a large study of more than 2,300 machine-milled ceramic inlays and onlays recorded a 95.5% survival probability at nine years [9].
Gold inlays and onlays are the longest-lasting. A retrospective study of 391 gold inlays found an 82.9% success rate over an average follow-up of nearly 12 years, with some restorations still functioning after several decades [10]. Gold's exceptional longevity is the main reason it endures as an option despite its appearance.
| Material | Typical lifespan | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | 5 to 12 years | 85% success at 9 years in a prospective study [7] |
| Ceramic or porcelain | 10 to 15+ years | 88% survival at 14 years [8] |
| Gold | 20+ years | Documented well beyond a decade, some lasting far longer [10] |
The inlay and onlay procedure: what to expect
Having an inlay or onlay fitted is straightforward and is usually done over two appointments. Some private practices can complete it in a single visit using same-day technology.
The standard two-visit process
At the first appointment, your dentist numbs the tooth with a local anaesthetic, removes the decay and any weakened tissue, and shapes the tooth to receive the restoration. They then take an impression or a digital scan of the tooth and fit a temporary restoration to protect it. The impression goes to a dental laboratory, where a technician makes your inlay or onlay, typically over one to two weeks.
At the second appointment, the dentist removes the temporary restoration, checks that the finished inlay or onlay fits accurately and that your bite feels right, makes any small adjustments, and then bonds it permanently into place before a final polish.
Same-day inlays with CEREC
Some private practices offer CEREC technology, which uses a digital scan and an in-house milling machine to produce a ceramic inlay or onlay during a single appointment. There is no need for a temporary restoration or a second visit, and the fit is highly precise. The evidence supports its durability: the study of more than 2,300 chairside-milled ceramic restorations found a 95.5% survival probability at nine years [9]. Same-day treatment is generally a private option and tends to sit at the upper end of the ceramic price range.
Inlay vs onlay vs crown vs filling: which do you need?
Your dentist chooses between a filling, an inlay or onlay, and a crown based mainly on how much of your tooth is damaged or at risk. The more tooth structure that is lost, the more coverage the restoration needs to provide.
| Your situation | Likely recommendation |
|---|---|
| Small to moderate cavity, cusps intact | Filling (Band 2 on the NHS) |
| Large cavity between the cusps, cusps sound | Inlay (Band 3 on the NHS, or private) |
| One or more cusps cracked or weakened | Onlay (Band 3 on the NHS, or private) |
| Extensive damage, or tooth weakened after root canal | Crown (Band 3 on the NHS, or private) |
The case for an inlay or onlay over a large filling is durability. Because they are made to precise measurements in a laboratory, they fit more accurately and seal the tooth better than a big direct filling, which lowers the risk of further decay at the edges and copes better with the heavy forces on back teeth.
The case for an inlay or onlay over a crown is tooth preservation. A crown requires the whole tooth to be reduced in size, removing healthy structure permanently. An onlay removes only the damaged part. Since natural tooth tissue cannot be replaced once gone, dentists generally favour the most conservative restoration that will do the job. A tooth that has had root canal treatment is a common exception, as it is often weak enough to need the full protection of a crown; our root canal treatment guide explains when that applies.
Inlay and onlay costs across the UK
NHS dental charges differ across the four nations of the UK, so where you live changes what you pay.
England uses the three-band system described above, with inlays and onlays charged at Band 3, £332.10, from April 2026 [1][3].
Wales no longer uses bands. It operates a care-package model in which you pay for the treatment you receive, capped at a maximum of £384 per course of treatment [11]. Inlays and onlays are covered under this system.
Scotland provides NHS dental treatment free of charge to all Scottish residents, so there is no patient charge for an NHS inlay or onlay.
Northern Ireland uses its own statutory charging system, separate from England's bands, under which patients usually pay a proportion of the treatment cost up to a maximum. Confirm the current charge for an inlay or onlay directly with your dentist before treatment.
Wherever you live, free treatment eligibility rules apply in your nation, so check whether you qualify before assuming you will pay the full charge.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dental inlay Band 2 or Band 3 on the NHS?
A dental inlay is a Band 3 NHS treatment, not Band 2. It costs £332.10 in England from April 2026, the same charge that applies to crowns, dentures, and bridges. Fillings are the Band 2 treatment, at £76.60. Inlays sit in Band 3 because they are made in a laboratory rather than placed directly.
Is an inlay cheaper than a crown?
On the NHS, no: an inlay and a crown both fall under Band 3 and cost £332.10, so there is no saving. Privately, an inlay or onlay is usually cheaper than a crown for the same tooth, because it needs less preparation and less laboratory material. Private crowns commonly cost more than £500, often considerably more.
How long do dental inlays and onlays last?
Lifespan depends on the material. Composite inlays typically last 5 to 12 years, ceramic inlays 10 to 15 years or longer, and gold inlays 20 years or more, with some documented well beyond that. Good daily cleaning and regular dental check-ups help any inlay or onlay reach the upper end of its expected lifespan.
Can I get an inlay or onlay on the NHS?
Yes, inlays and onlays are available on the NHS as Band 3 treatments where they are clinically appropriate. However, NHS guidance expects them to be used for moderate to large damage. If a filling would do the job, your dentist is expected to use one instead. You can ask about an inlay specifically, or choose private treatment.
Does an onlay mean I will eventually need a crown?
Not necessarily. An onlay is a long-term restoration in its own right, not just a temporary step before a crown. A well-placed ceramic or gold onlay can last well over a decade. A crown only becomes necessary later if the tooth sustains further damage or decay that an onlay can no longer support.
Can I have a same-day inlay or onlay?
Yes, at practices equipped with CEREC technology, which scans the tooth and mills a ceramic inlay or onlay in a single visit, avoiding a temporary restoration and a second appointment. Same-day treatment is generally a private option and usually sits at the higher end of the ceramic price range. Most practices still use the standard two-visit laboratory process.
Finding a dentist for inlay or onlay treatment
Whether you are deciding between an inlay, an onlay, and a crown, or simply want a clear quotation, the right dentist will explain your options honestly and help you choose the most tooth-preserving treatment that fits your budget. If you are weighing NHS against private, ask each practice for the band charge or a written private quotation so you can compare on equal terms.
Search for a GDC-registered dentist near you on Dentists Closeby to compare practices in your area and book an appointment to discuss your options.
Sources
- What is included in each NHS dental band charge? -- NHS.uk, accessed 2026-06-17
- Understanding NHS dental charges -- NHS.uk, accessed 2026-06-17
- NHS England dental charges poster, April 2026 -- NHS Business Services Authority, accessed 2026-06-17
- Band 3 Inlay Claiming guidance -- NHS Business Services Authority, accessed 2026-06-17
- Who can get free NHS dental treatment? -- NHS.uk, accessed 2026-06-17
- What does each dental treatment band cover in England? (KA-02016) -- NHS Business Services Authority, accessed 2026-06-17
- Clinical Longevity of Indirect Composite Resin Inlays and Onlays: An Up to 9-Year Prospective Study -- PubMed Central (PMC8890907), accessed 2026-06-17
- In Vivo Wear Analysis of Leucite-Reinforced Ceramic Inlays/Onlays After 14 Years -- PubMed Central (PMC12347852), accessed 2026-06-17
- Longevity of 2328 chairside CEREC inlays and onlays -- PubMed (PMID 14601187), accessed 2026-06-17
- A retrospective clinical study on the longevity of posterior cast gold inlays/onlays -- PubMed (PMID 29275171), accessed 2026-06-17
- What are the NHS dental charges? (KA-02003) -- NHS Business Services Authority, accessed 2026-06-17
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