Crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays
Inlays and onlays: treatment options and what affects the cost
Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations for cavities too large for a filling but not large enough to need a full crown. They are priced by material and the number of surfaces.
No public price is listed for this treatment. Fees depend on your exam, and offices confirm whether they provide it.
What the treatment is
An inlay fits inside the grooves of a back tooth, between the cusps (the raised points). An onlay also covers one or more cusps. Both are made outside the mouth, in a dental lab or with an in-office milling machine, then bonded or cemented in place.
Because they are made from a solid block of ceramic, gold or resin, they can be stronger than a large direct filling while removing less tooth than a crown.
Why it may be recommended
- A large cavity or old filling where a direct filling might wear or break.
- A cracked or weakened cusp that needs to be covered but the rest of the tooth is healthy.
- Replacing a large failing filling on a molar or premolar.
Treatment types and variations
Tap a type to see when it is used and what to weigh. Your dentist recommends options after examining you.
Inlay or onlay
InlaySits within the cusps and does not cover them. Used for moderate cavities between or on top of back teeth.
- Codes to ask about
- D2610, D2620, D2630
OnlayCovers one or more cusps. Sometimes called a partial crown.
- Codes to ask about
- D2642, D2643, D2644
Materials
Porcelain or ceramicTooth-colored, bonded to the tooth. Includes lithium disilicate and other ceramics.
- Codes to ask about
- D2610, D2642
Composite resin (lab-made)Tooth-colored and usually less expensive than ceramic; can wear faster.
- Codes to ask about
- D2662, D2663, D2664
Gold or other metalVery durable and gentle on opposing teeth, but not tooth-colored.
- Codes to ask about
- D2510, D2542, D2543, D2544
Materials and techniques
- Ceramics
- Lithium disilicate and similar ceramics are strong and translucent. They are bonded with resin cement, which needs a dry field.
- Gold alloys
- Cast gold can be made very thin and wears similarly to enamel. It is cemented rather than bonded.
- Milled in office or lab-made
- Some offices design and mill ceramic restorations the same day; others send a scan to a lab, which needs a temporary and a second visit.
Benefits, limitations and possible risks
Benefits
- Can preserve more natural tooth than a crown.
- Usually stronger and more wear-resistant than a very large direct filling.
- Tooth-colored options are available.
Limitations
- Costs more than a filling and usually takes two visits unless milled in the office.
- Not suitable when most of the tooth is missing; a crown may be needed.
- Fewer offices offer them, so availability varies.
Possible risks
- Temporary sensitivity after preparation and bonding.
- A temporary restoration can come loose between visits.
- Ceramic can chip or fracture, and any restoration can develop decay at its edges.
- As with any deep restoration, the nerve may need a root canal later.
What happens during treatment
- 1
Preparation
The old filling or decay is removed and the tooth is shaped.
- 2
Impression or scan
A digital scan or impression is taken. A temporary is placed if the restoration is made in a lab.
- 3
Fitting
The inlay or onlay is tried in, checked for fit and bite, then bonded or cemented.
Recovery and maintenance
- Sensitivity usually settles within days to a few weeks.
- Avoid sticky or very hard foods on a temporary.
- Care for it like your natural teeth, with brushing, flossing and regular checkups.
What affects the cost
- Material
- Gold, ceramic and lab-made resin have different lab and material costs.
- Inlay or onlay, and surfaces
- Onlays and restorations that cover more surfaces cost more.
- Same-day milling or lab
- In-office milling and outside labs have different costs and timelines.
- Build-up
- If the remaining tooth needs to be built up first, that can be a separate charge.
Common additional charges
These are billed separately at many offices. Not every patient needs them.
| Exam and X-rays | Needed before treatment planning. |
|---|---|
| Temporary restoration | Usually included; ask if replacing a lost temporary costs extra. |
| Desensitizer or pulp protection | Sometimes billed separately. |
Procedure fee or total case cost?
The inlay or onlay fee usually includes the preparation, temporary and final restoration for one tooth. Exams, X-rays and any build-up are separate. Ask whether the quote covers the lab fee.
Paying with insurance or without insurance
Many dental plans treat inlays and onlays as major restorative services, subject to the deductible and annual maximum; some apply a filling rate instead. Without insurance, ask the office for a written estimate that lists the material and lab fee.
Alternative treatments
Alternatives depend on your teeth and health. Ask your dentist to explain the trade-offs of each option, including doing nothing.
- Large composite filling
- Less expensive and done in one visit, but may not be as durable for large cavities.
- Crown
- Covers the whole tooth; often recommended when cusps are cracked or most of the tooth is missing.
Codes to ask your insurer about
Insurers price treatment by ADA CDT procedure code. The office confirms the exact code for your treatment; labels here are plain-English summaries.
| D2610 | Inlay, porcelain/ceramic, one surface |
|---|---|
| D2620 | Inlay, porcelain/ceramic, two surfaces |
| D2630 | Inlay, porcelain/ceramic, three or more surfaces |
| D2642 | Onlay, porcelain/ceramic, two surfaces |
| D2643 | Onlay, porcelain/ceramic, three surfaces |
| D2644 | Onlay, porcelain/ceramic, four or more surfaces |
| D2662 | Onlay, resin-based composite, two surfaces |
| D2510 | Inlay, metallic, one surface |
| D2542 | Onlay, metallic, two surfaces |
Questions to ask your dentist
- Why do you recommend an onlay instead of a filling or a crown for this tooth?
- Which material do you suggest, and why?
- Is it milled in the office or made by a lab? How many visits?
- Does my insurance treat this like a crown or a filling?
Frequently asked questions
Is an onlay cheaper than a crown?
Fees vary by office and material. Onlays are sometimes similar in price to crowns because both need lab work, but they can preserve more of your natural tooth.
Does insurance cover inlays and onlays?
Many plans cover them as a major service. Some pay a composite-filling rate for inlays and you pay the difference. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Related procedures
- Tooth-colored fillingsA tooth-colored filling repairs a cavity or small fracture with composite resin that matches your tooth. The fee depends mainly on how many surfaces of the tooth the filling covers.
- Dental crownsA crown is a cap that covers a damaged, weak or root-canal-treated tooth to restore its shape and strength. The price depends on the material, the lab and whether the tooth needs a build-up or post first.
- Root canal treatmentA root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth so the tooth can be kept. Molars cost more than front teeth because they have more canals, and most back teeth need a crown afterwards.