An inlay or onlay costs $635 to $1,665 per tooth in 2026
Pearl's May 2026 figures, built on ADA fee survey data, put an inlay or onlay at $635 to $1,665 per tooth, about $975 on average. Porcelain runs about $800 to $1,500, composite $500 to $1,200 and gold $1,200 to $2,500. Most PPO plans pay 50 to 80 percent, like a crown.
Cost by material
| Average inlay or onlay | $635 to $1,665, about $975 (Pearl, May 2026). |
|---|---|
| Porcelain | $800 to $1,500. |
| Composite | $500 to $1,200. |
| Gold | $1,200 to $2,500. |
| Lifespan, porcelain | Often 15 to 20 years or more. |
What pushes a quote up
| Material | Gold costs most, composite least. |
|---|---|
| Size | More cusps covered cost more. |
| Lab or same day | Same day milling can cost a little more. |
| Provider | Cosmetic dentists charge more. |
| Location | Big metros run 30 to 60 percent higher. |
Inlay or onlay cost by region
| Lower cost states | $500 to $1,325. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $635 to $1,665. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $825 to $2,200. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Pearl reports major metros run 30 to 60 percent above smaller markets for this work.
Inlay, onlay, filling or crown
An inlay fills damage inside the chewing surface. An onlay also covers one or more of the tooth's points, called cusps, so it is sometimes called a partial crown. Pearl notes both are made in a lab or milled in the office, then bonded on, usually over two visits.
They make sense when a filling would be too big to hold, but a full crown would remove more healthy tooth than needed. Some older insurance plans pay only the filling rate for them, so ask for pre-authorization.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask inlay, onlay or crown and why.
- Ask which material.
- Ask lab or same day.
- Ask about the warranty.
- Get pre-authorization from your insurer.
Ways to pay less
- Choose porcelain or composite over gold.
- Use your PPO plan.
- Check a dental school clinic.
- Compare two quotes for big jobs.
Before you decide
This page covers prices only. It is not medical or dental advice. Talk to a licensed provider about what treatment you need, and ask for a written estimate and your insurer's pre-authorization before you start.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
Common questions
How much does an inlay or onlay cost?
About $635 to $1,665 per tooth, around $975 on average.
Is an onlay cheaper than a crown?
Usually yes, and it keeps more of the tooth.
Does insurance cover onlays?
Most PPO plans pay 50 to 80 percent. Some older plans pay only the filling rate.
How long do they last?
Porcelain often lasts 15 to 20 years or more.