
Inlays and Onlays
Dental Inlays and
Onlays in Houston, TX
Repair a cracked or worn tooth with a custom porcelain restoration that keeps more of your natural tooth than a full crown.
What Are Inlays and Onlays?
Restore a Tooth Without a Full Crown
Inlays and onlays are custom restorations that repair a tooth that is cracked, worn, or weakened, without covering more tooth than necessary. They can also replace old fillings that are failing or no longer look natural. Made from durable porcelain, they blend in with your smile while helping your tooth feel strong again.
The difference between the two comes down to coverage: an inlay fits within the grooves of the tooth, while an onlay extends over the top biting surface for added strength. Think of either one as a stronger step up from a filling, without needing a full crown. With good care, an inlay or onlay can last for many years.
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A process built around saving more of your tooth

A repair that keeps more of your real tooth
How It Compares
Inlay or Onlay vs. Filling vs. Crown
Each option repairs a damaged tooth differently. Here's where an inlay or onlay fits in.
Why Choose Dentiq Dentistry for Inlays and Onlays
With a simple exam, we can tell whether an inlay or onlay is the right fix for your tooth and your goals. If the damage is small enough for a filling, we'll say so. If the tooth truly needs a full crown, we'll explain why rather than place a restoration that won't hold up.
Every restoration is custom-made and shade-matched so it feels comfortable and blends in naturally. Digital scanning replaces messy impressions, and our in-house lab keeps the fit precise from the first scan to the day we seat it.

An inlay fits within the grooves on the top of the tooth, while an onlay extends over the biting surface for added strength. Which one you need depends on how far the damage reaches.
Usually two. At the first visit we clean and shape the tooth and take a digital scan. At the follow-up we place the finished restoration, adjust your bite, and polish it smooth.
It comes down to how much healthy tooth is left. If enough structure remains, an inlay or onlay repairs the damage while keeping more of your natural tooth. A crown becomes the better choice when the tooth is broken down more extensively.
The tooth is numbed before we clean and shape it, so the appointment itself is comfortable. Some mild sensitivity afterward is normal and typically settles within a few days.
Yes, and it's one of the most common reasons patients get one. When a large dental filling is failing, leaking, or no longer looks natural, porcelain gives the tooth a stronger replacement. If the tooth is too far gone for that, a dental crown is the safer choice, and we'll tell you which one your tooth actually needs.
With good care, an inlay or onlay can last for many years. Porcelain resists wear well, so how long yours lasts depends largely on your hygiene, your bite, and whether you grind your teeth.
Brush and floss it exactly like a natural tooth and keep up with regular checkups. If you grind or clench at night, a nightguard protects the restoration from unnecessary stress.
Dentiq Dentistry works with most major PPO insurance plans, and we're happy to submit an itemized plan on your behalf. Because inlays and onlays restore function rather than just appearance, many plans provide some level of coverage. Flexible financing options are also available.
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Experience comfortable, high-quality dental care at Dentiq Dentistry. We proudly serve patients in Houston and the surrounding communities, helping you smile with confidence every day.

At Dentiq Dentistry Houston, we provide a full spectrum of care under one roof, from routine cleanings and fillings to dental implants, All-On-X full-arch restoration, veneers, Invisalign, and same-day crowns. With advanced technology and an in-house lab, we keep treatment precise, comfortable, and refreshingly convenient.
