Inlays and onlays sit between a filling and a crown. They repair a tooth that is too damaged for a filling but does not need a full crown, keeping more of the natural tooth.
What’s included
The dentist removes decay, scans or takes an impression, and a lab or in-office mill makes the inlay (inside the cusps) or onlay (covering one or more cusps), which is bonded at the next visit.
Cost at a glance
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Without insurance | $250-$1,500 per tooth |
| National average | $976 |
What affects the price
- Material: porcelain, gold and composite resin all cost more than a regular filling.
- Inlay or onlay: onlays cover more of the tooth.
- Lab-made or same-day in-office milling.
With dental insurance
When it is needed for your dental health, many plans treat this as major care and pay part of it after your deductible, up to your annual maximum. Run your own numbers with the dental cost estimator.
Ways to pay less
- Insurance often treats inlays and onlays like crowns (major work); some plans pay only the price of a filling.
- Compare the quote with a crown and a large filling.
- Dental schools and community health centers offer reduced-fee care. See how to afford dental work.
Sources
- CareCredit, Dentist Prices: Dental Procedure Cost List (Synchrony cost studies)
- CareCredit, Dental Inlay vs. Onlay (July 2023), citing Consumer Guide to Dentistry
Prices are national figures from the sources above, checked October 14, 2026. Your dentist’s fees depend on your location, your mouth and their practice. This page is general information, not dental or medical advice.
What people actually paid for inlays and onlays
Real prices reported by readers, not estimates. We only show a figure once enough people have reported it, and we never show individual reports.
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Frequently asked questions
Is an onlay cheaper than a crown?
Often. A porcelain inlay or onlay averages $976, and crowns commonly cost more.
Inlay or onlay: what is the difference?
An inlay fits inside the cusps of the tooth; an onlay also covers one or more cusps.
Questions from readers
Question about Inlays and onlays? Ask it here. We answer general questions on this page. For anything about your own teeth, ask your dentist.
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