Inlay vs Onlay vs Crown: Which Does Your Tooth Need?
An inlay fills a cavity inside the cusps of a back tooth, an onlay also rebuilds one or more cusps, and a crown covers the whole tooth. The less tooth that is left, the further along that scale you go. Ceramic inlays and onlays reached 91% survival at 10 years in a meta-analysis[1]; monolithic E.max crowns reached 98.5% at 5 years[3]. At Ulubey Dental Clinic in Antalya an E.max inlay or onlay costs €250 and is usually ready in 2–3 days.
Inlay, onlay and crown: the difference
All three are indirect restorations: they are made outside the mouth, at a laboratory, and then bonded or cemented to the tooth. That is the difference from a direct filling, which the dentist builds up in the tooth in one appointment. What separates them is how much of the tooth they cover.
- Inlay: fills a cavity in the chewing surface between the cusps (the raised points of a back tooth). It does not cover a cusp.
- Onlay: replaces one or more cusps as well as the cavity. A large onlay that covers all cusps is sometimes called an overlay or partial crown.
- Crown: a cap that completely covers the tooth; the tooth is shaped all round so the crown can fit over it[5].
Because an inlay or onlay replaces only the damaged part, more of your natural tooth stays in place than with a crown. That is the main reason to choose one when the tooth allows it.
Inlay vs onlay vs crown: side-by-side comparison
| Inlay | Onlay | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The cavity between the cusps | The cavity plus one or more cusps | The whole tooth |
| Tooth shaping | Only the damaged area | The damaged area and the cusps it rebuilds | All surfaces of the tooth |
| Typical use | A larger cavity or an old filling in a back tooth, cusps intact | A cavity with weakened or broken cusps | Too little tooth left, a cracked tooth, or major shape or colour change |
| Survival in studies | Mean 90.89% in pooled studies[2] | Mean 93.50% in pooled studies[2] | Mean 95.38% in pooled studies[2]; 98.5% at 5 years for monolithic E.max[3] |
| Material at our clinic | E.max (lithium disilicate) | E.max (lithium disilicate) | Amann Girrbach zirconia or E.max |
| Our price | €250 | €250 | Zirconia €185 · E.max €250 |
The pooled survival figures in [2] come from 9 heterogeneous studies; the authors state they do not allow a meaningful comparison between types. Prices: Ulubey Dental Clinic, October 2026.
Which one does my tooth need?
The answer depends on how much healthy tooth is left, where the damage is and how the tooth is loaded when you bite. The examination and X-rays decide; the list below is how we usually reason.
| Situation | Usual choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small or medium cavity | Composite filling | Done in one appointment; the least tooth is removed |
| Large cavity or a large old filling, cusps still strong | Inlay | Large direct composite fillings with more restored surfaces fail more often[4] |
| One or more cusps weakened or broken | Onlay | The onlay rebuilds the cusp instead of shaping the whole tooth for a crown |
| Little tooth left, a crack through the tooth, or a tooth that needs a new shape | Crown | Full coverage holds the remaining tooth together |
| Old amalgam (silver) filling | Composite filling or inlay | We do not place amalgam; old amalgam is replaced on request or when clinically indicated |
A tooth that has had root canal treatment often has lost a lot of structure. Whether it needs an onlay or a crown is decided from the remaining walls on the X-ray and at the examination, not by a general rule.
How long do inlays, onlays and crowns last?
A meta-analysis of 14 studies with at least 5 years of follow-up estimated survival of glass-ceramic and feldspathic porcelain inlays, onlays and overlays at 92–95% after 5 years (5,811 restorations) and 91% after 10 years (2,154 restorations). Failures were related to fractures or chipping (4%), root canal complications (3%), secondary decay (1%) and de-bonding (1%)[1].
For crowns, a 2026 systematic review reported 5-year survival of 98.5% for monolithic lithium-disilicate crowns and 96.8% for monolithic zirconia crowns; monolithic designs had significantly fewer ceramic fractures and chipping than layered crowns[3].
A review that put inlays, onlays and crowns side by side found 5-year survival above 90% for all of them, with decay the main biological complication and ceramic fracture the most common technical one[2]. In other words, good cleaning around the margins matters for every type, and the choice should follow the tooth, not a survival ranking.
Procedure and timing
Examination and X-rays
A panoramic X-ray for every patient, plus a periapical X-ray in the clinic when a tooth needs a closer look.Preparation
Decay and old filling material are removed and the cavity is shaped under local anaesthetic.Digital scan
We scan the tooth with a Dentsply Sirona Primescan intraoral scanner and the tooth is protected with a temporary restoration.Laboratory
The E.max inlay or onlay is made at our partner laboratory and is usually ready in 2–3 days.Bonding
The restoration is tried in, bonded with the tooth isolated under rubber dam, and the bite is checked.
For a crown, our digital workflow takes 4–5 treatment days, with a stay of about 5–7 days in Antalya. Use the dental treatment stay planner if you are combining several treatments.
Inlay, onlay and crown prices
| Restoration | Material | Price per tooth |
|---|---|---|
| Inlay or onlay | E.max (lithium disilicate), partner laboratory | €250 |
| Crown | Amann Girrbach zirconia | €185 |
| Crown | E.max (lithium disilicate) | €250 |
| Composite filling (for comparison) | Tooth-coloured composite | €60 standard · €90 with MTA pulp protection · €120 front-tooth aesthetic |
- Included: the restoration itself and the temporary and try-in during your treatment visit.
- No fee: the consultation and the panoramic X-ray.
- Charged separately only if needed: root canal treatment (from €120), a post (€60) or a core build-up (€60).
- Other premium crown blocks on request are quoted individually.
Prices are indicative; your final written quote follows the examination and X-rays and is valid for 30 days. Unless the treatment plan changes, the written price does not change.
Crown guarantee: 10-year fracture guarantee on Amann Girrbach zirconia crowns and bridges made at our partner lab; 5-year clinic guarantee on crowns and bridges in other materials; crown and bridge guarantees exclude fracture due to bruxism (teeth grinding), and patients who grind their teeth must wear the night guard we provide. All guarantees are conditional on attending recommended check-ups and cover the prosthesis, not the root canal or filling beneath it. See our written dental guarantee and all fees on the dental treatment prices page.
Our approach at the clinic
Dr. Ali Cem Ulubey and Dr. Surur Ulubey treat their patients themselves, from the examination to the final bonding. We choose the smallest restoration that will last in your tooth: a filling before an inlay, an inlay or onlay before a crown, as long as the remaining tooth is strong enough.
- Materials: E.max (Ivoclar IPS e.max) for inlays and onlays; Amann Girrbach zirconia or E.max for crowns (see zirconia crowns).
- Isolation and bonding: rubber dam isolation; a Dentsply Sirona SmartLite Pro curing light.
- No amalgam: we never place amalgam. Old amalgam fillings are replaced with composite or an inlay on request or when clinically indicated.
- Shade: VITA Easyshade digital measurement and cross-polarised photography (see our tooth shade guide).
Frequently asked questions
Is an onlay better than a crown?
Not in general; they solve different problems. An onlay keeps more of your natural tooth because only the damaged cusps are rebuilt, so it is our first choice when the remaining walls are strong. A crown is needed when little tooth is left or the tooth is cracked. In pooled studies, both reach survival above 90% at 5 years.
How long does a ceramic inlay last?
A meta-analysis of 14 studies estimated survival of ceramic inlays, onlays and overlays at 92–95% after 5 years and 91% after 10 years. Fracture or chipping was the most common reason for failure, followed by root canal problems. Good cleaning between the teeth and regular check-ups help the restoration and the tooth beneath it last.
How much does an inlay or onlay cost in Antalya?
At Ulubey Dental Clinic an E.max inlay or onlay costs €250 per tooth, the same as an E.max crown; a zirconia crown costs €185. The temporary and try-in during your treatment visit are included. Your written quote follows the examination and X-rays and is valid for 30 days; unless the plan changes, the price does not change.
How many days does an inlay take?
Our partner laboratory usually makes an E.max inlay or onlay in 2–3 days. The tooth is prepared and scanned at the first appointment and protected with a temporary restoration, and the inlay is bonded at the second. If you have several teeth to treat, your written plan states the total number of days.
Can you replace my old amalgam fillings with inlays?
Yes, on request or when there is a clinical reason, such as a crack or decay around the old filling. Depending on the size of the cavity, the amalgam is replaced with a composite filling or a ceramic inlay or onlay. We never place new amalgam fillings. The examination and X-rays decide which option suits each tooth.
Why not just place a large filling?
Large direct fillings can work, but a meta-analysis of posterior composite fillings found a higher risk of failure in teeth with more restored surfaces and in patients with a high risk of decay. When a cavity is large, a laboratory-made inlay or onlay restores the shape and contact points more precisely. For small and medium cavities, a composite filling remains the simplest option.
Sources
- Morimoto S, Rebello de Sampaio FB, Braga MM, Sesma N, Özcan M. Survival rate of resin and ceramic inlays, onlays, and overlays: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2016;95(9):985-994. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27287305
- Vagropoulou GI, Klifopoulou GL, Vlahou SG, Hirayama H, Michalakis K. Complications and survival rates of inlays and onlays vs complete coverage restorations: a systematic review and analysis of studies. J Oral Rehabil. 2018;45(11):903-920. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30019391
- Pjetursson BE, Pitta J, Balet A, Bjarnadottir GR, Sailer I, Romandini P. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the survival, failure, and complication rates of metal-ceramic, veneered, and monolithic all-ceramic tooth-supported single crowns, Part 1. Int J Prosthodont. 2026;39(3):308-324. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41489982
- Opdam NJ, van de Sande FH, Bronkhorst E, et al. Longevity of posterior composite restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2014;93(10):943-949. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25048250
- NHS. Dental treatments (page last reviewed 8 July 2026; accessed 25 October 2026). www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/dental-treatments
This article is general patient information and does not replace a clinical examination or X-rays.
Editor contact: [email protected] · ulubeydental.com/contact-us
