Cannon Street Dental & Implant Centre
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
Lower Ground, 6 Dowgate Hill, London, EC4R 2SU
A damaged tooth doesn’t need to remain a puzzle. Crowns, inlays, and onlays each serve different purposes, and understanding which restoration suits your situation helps you make confident decisions about your dental treatment in London.
Key Takeaways:
Dental crowns are used to restore teeth that have experienced substantial damage or decay. A crown acts as a protective cap that covers your entire tooth above the gum line, restoring both function and appearance.
Your dentist might recommend a crown when a tooth has a large filling compromising its strength, after root canal treatment, or when a tooth has cracked extensively. The restoration process involves preparing the tooth, removing damaged portions, and taking impressions. Modern dental crowns in London are crafted from durable materials like porcelain or ceramic that mimic natural teeth.
Treatment typically requires two appointments. You’ll receive a temporary crown whilst the permanent restoration is being made. Crowns offer excellent longevity, often lasting 15 years or more with proper care, providing comprehensive protection and restoring full chewing function.
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Inlays differ from fillings by being custom-made restorations that fit precisely within the cusps of your tooth, rather than soft material moulded directly into the cavity. This approach offers greater durability and a better fit than traditional fillings for moderate damage.
Standard fillings work well for small cavities, but when decay affects a larger area within your tooth’s chewing surface, an inlay becomes more appropriate. Your dentist creates an impression, and a laboratory fabricates the inlay to match the exact dimensions. This precision ensures a tight seal that helps prevent future decay.
Porcelain inlays bond strongly to natural tooth structure, reinforcing it from within. The material resists staining better than composite fillings and maintains its appearance permanently. The process requires two appointments, with a temporary restoration between visits.
Onlays should be considered when damage extends to one or more cusps of your tooth but doesn’t warrant a full crown. These restorations, sometimes called partial crowns, cover the chewing surface and damaged cusps whilst preserving healthy tooth structure.
The middle ground between inlays and crowns, onlays address situations where damage is too extensive for an inlay but conservative enough to avoid full crown coverage. Your dentist might recommend an onlay for teeth with large old fillings that have started to fail, or teeth with fractures affecting the biting surfaces.
Onlays provide exceptional strength because they’re fabricated from a single piece of material that reinforces remaining tooth structure. Like inlays, onlays require two appointments. The conservative preparation means you retain more natural tooth compared to crown placement, which benefits long-term tooth health.
Cracked tooth restoration depends on the crack’s location, depth, and extent. Crowns typically provide the best solution for teeth with cracks that threaten structural integrity, whilst onlays may suffice for cracks limited to the chewing surface.
Tooth cracks vary considerably in severity. Surface crazing requires no treatment, but cracks extending into the tooth structure or causing pain need immediate attention. Your dentist examines the crack with magnification and tests the tooth’s response to determine appropriate restoration.
A crown encircles the entire tooth, binding it together and preventing the spread of cracks. This makes crowns preferred for teeth with vertical cracks or fractures. For cracks confined to a single cusp, an onlay might provide sufficient protection. Your dentist considers tooth position, bite forces, and chewing patterns when making recommendations.
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Porcelain proves ideal for dental restorations because it closely mimics natural tooth enamel in appearance, strength, and wear characteristics. The material can be precisely matched to your existing teeth, creating restorations that blend invisibly with your smile.
The translucency of porcelain allows light to pass through naturally, just as with real teeth. This makes porcelain crowns virtually indistinguishable from surrounding teeth. The material resists staining and maintains permanent colour.
Modern porcelain formulations offer excellent durability and withstand normal chewing forces. The material bonds chemically to tooth structure, creating a seal that protects against bacteria. Ceramic restorations maintain their lustre permanently, making porcelain the preferred choice for visible teeth.
These restorations typically last between 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care and maintenance. Crowns, inlays, and onlays share similar longevity, though individual results depend on factors like oral hygiene, chewing habits, and regular dental check-ups.
Regular dental examinations allow your dentist to monitor restorations and address minor issues before they become problems. Back teeth experiencing heavy chewing loads may experience more wear than front teeth. Many patients find that their crowns, inlays, and onlays serve them well for decades with attentive care.
During your consultation, the dentist examines your tooth, discusses your concerns, and explains which restoration option best addresses your specific situation. Digital imaging and impressions help create a precise treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Your dentist begins by assessing damage through visual examination and digital X-rays that reveal hidden decay or cracks. This diagnostic phase determines whether your tooth needs comprehensive crown coverage or whether an inlay or onlay would suffice. The assessment also considers tooth position, bite pattern, and aesthetic concerns.
Once the appropriate restoration is identified, your dentist explains the treatment process, including appointments required and the temporary restoration function. Many London practices use intraoral scanners for detailed 3D imaging. The consultation includes discussion about materials, costs, and maintenance requirements.
| Restoration Type | Coverage Area | Best For | Tooth Structure Removed |
| Crown | Entire tooth above the gum line | Extensive damage, root canal, and large cracks | Moderate to substantial |
| Inlay | Within tooth cusps only | Moderate decay, damaged fillings | Minimal, conservative |
| Onlay | Chewing surface and one or more cusps | Cusp damage, surface cracks | Moderate, preserves structure |
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Dental crowns feel natural once properly adjusted and should not feel noticeably different from your other teeth. Your dentist carefully shapes the crown so your bite feels comfortable and balanced.
Some initial sensitivity to temperature is normal during the first few weeks. If your crown feels too high or causes discomfort when you bite, your dentist can adjust it during a follow-up visit.
You cannot whiten teeth that have crowns, inlays, or onlays because these restorations do not respond to whitening treatments. The porcelain or ceramic material maintains its original colour permanently.
If you’re considering teeth whitening, discuss it with your dentist before getting restorations placed. They can whiten your natural teeth first, then match your restorations to your newly brightened smile. This approach ensures a uniform appearance across all your teeth.
Restorations typically fail due to recurring decay around the margins, fractures from excessive force, or loss of the bond between the restoration and tooth. Poor oral hygiene accelerates these problems.
Regular dental check-ups help identify early signs of restoration failure. Your dentist examines the margins where restoration meets tooth and checks for gaps allowing bacterial entry. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and addressing teeth grinding extends restoration longevity considerably.
Temporary crowns are necessary to protect your prepared tooth whilst your permanent restoration is being fabricated. The temporary crown maintains tooth position, prevents sensitivity, and allows you to eat normally during the waiting period.
Your dentist cements the temporary crown with a weaker adhesive, allowing easy removal at your next appointment. Whilst wearing a temporary, avoid chewing sticky foods on that side and brush gently around it.
Restoration costs vary based on the type of restoration, materials used, and the complexity of your case. Crowns typically cost more than inlays or onlays because they require more material and cover a larger area.
Your dentist provides a detailed cost estimate during your consultation after examining your tooth and discussing treatment options. Many practices offer payment plans to make treatment more manageable. You can view detailed pricing information through your dentist’s fee guide before making decisions about your care.
Understanding the differences between crowns, inlays, and onlays empowers you to have meaningful conversations with your dentist. Each restoration offers distinct advantages, from comprehensive crown protection to conservative inlay approaches.
At Cannon Street Dental Centre, our experienced team uses advanced digital technology to plan and place restorations with precision. We help London patients restore function and confidence through personalised dental care. Contact us today to discuss your restorative options and take the first step towards a healthier smile.
020 8075 7106