Fillings, Inlays/Onlays

Fillings, inlays and onlays are restorations that are used to improve the appearance and function of teeth that have suffered from decay. At Access Smile, we use only tooth-coloured material for our fillings, inlays and onlays, meaning that as well as being very strong and durable, they are aesthetically pleasing.

One of the major causes of dental fear and phobia is the dentist's drill. Even with modern drills and local anaesthetic, the noise of the drill strikes fear into the heart of many patients. That's why at Access Smile we are delighted to offer fillings without drilling.

Our dental team have been specially trained in using the latest equipment, which means no more drilling. Your tooth will first be thoroughly cleaned with our Ozonitron device, which uses ozone gas to kill bacteria. We will then discover the extent of the decay using a laser caries detecting device called DIAGNOdent. If decay above a certain level is found, we will use the RONDOflex air abrasion device to blow compressed air and fine aluminium oxide powder into the cavity, wearing off decayed, loose tooth tissues while causing no damage to healthy tooth tissues. All of this is completely painless, and your tooth is ready for filling with a tooth-coloured composite material.

Inlays are made by our dental technicians in cases when too much of the tooth is missing for a standard white filling. They are restorations that sit inside the tooth cavity. Inlays can restore the biting surface of teeth as well as the adjoining surfaces of teeth next to each other, which is important for the temporomandibular joints as well as preventing food getting jammed between the teeth. Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth so that your inlay can be precisely made by our technicians.

Inlays can be made from Gradia (plastic), traditional ceramic or pressed ceramic. Ceramic inlays are highly aesthetically pleasing and thanks to the use of a special dental adhesive, the tooth is effectively sealed to protect and support the remaining tooth tissue.

Onlays are similar to inlays and are made from the same materials, but as the name suggests they sit on top of a tooth to restore it and build up its shape. Onlays cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth, providing extra strength.