Inlay and onlay cost

Often about the same or somewhat less, but not always, since both involve laboratory or milling work. The reason to ask about an onlay is clinical: it covers weak cusps while keeping more sound tooth than a crown removes. Compare complete estimates for both, and ask what the plan pays toward each.

An inlay fits inside the cusps of a tooth, and an onlay also covers one or more cusps. Both are made outside the mouth and bonded in. They suit a tooth with more damage than a filling handles well and less than a crown is needed for. Your dentist decides after examining the tooth.

Often in part. Some plans file them as major care, similar to a crown, and some pay only toward the cost of a filling and leave you the difference. Check with the plan how it classifies the code, and request a written estimate. See the alternate benefit page for how such a provision works.

It depends on the material, how much tooth remains, the bite and your habits. Ask the provider what to expect for your tooth and what shortens it. Remaining tooth structure is a major factor, which is one reason some dentists favor an onlay over a crown when the tooth allows.

Some dental school clinics do restorative work such as onlays, and scope varies. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says dental students treat patients under close supervision by licensed dentists at reduced cost. Call and ask which services are offered and how many visits an onlay takes.

Not necessarily. Same-day milling can avoid a temporary and a second visit, and a laboratory may allow more customization. Quality depends on the material, the design and the dentist's skill. Request the complete cost of each approach and why the office recommends one for your tooth.

When too little sound tooth remains to hold an onlay, when several cusps are weak or when a crack extends widely. A dentist can judge after examining the tooth and X-rays. Check what would be needed if the tooth turns out to be unsuitable, and how the fee would change.

Some teeth do, especially if decay was deep or the tooth was already sensitive, though many do not. Ask what the dentist sees on the X-ray, what the risk is for your tooth and how the fee would change if a root canal were needed later.

With a laboratory route, usually yes, with a temporary in between. Same-day milling can avoid that. Ask which method the office uses, what the temporary costs and whether the quote covers both visits. Compare the total, not only the number of appointments.

They can be. Ceramic, resin and gold are all used, and the choice depends on the tooth, the bite and appearance. Ask why a material is proposed and what it costs, and see the crown cost guide for how materials affect price.

Sometimes. When a large old filling weakens a tooth, an onlay may protect the remaining cusps. A dentist can judge after an exam and X-rays. Ask what the plan pays for each option and how much sound tooth each would remove.

Then you pay the difference between the filling allowance and the fee for the onlay. Ask the plan whether an alternate benefit applies, ask the office for a pretreatment estimate and compare your out-of-pocket cost for each option before you decide.