Dental Inlays and
Overlays

Dental Inlays and Overlays

At OptiSmile, we understand tooth decay can be a challenging and painful experience. While traditional metal fillings may be viable, our expert team at OptiSmile is proud to offer dental inlays and overlays as a superior alternative. Trust our skilled professionals to provide exceptional care and personalised treatment plans, ensuring optimal oral health and a revitalised smile.

What Clients Are Saying About OptiSmile

Sean G.

4 days ago

I was very impressed with Optismile in general and will definitely give them five stars. The whole approach from reception to dentistry is very professional and efficient. The work that was conducted was excellent and to my satisfaction and the friendliness and service from the particular Dentist who assisted me, Dr Juanette Du Toit, is certainly appreciated. I would recommend the dentistry and this particular dentist.

E C.

3 weeks ago

Highly recommend this practice! Dr. Clifford and the entire team were incredibly friendly, informative, professional, patient, and so much more. My older sibling recommended this practice to me and said it was even better than the dental offices we visit in the U.S., as we are visitors to CPT. She was absolutely right! This has become my favorite dental practice, and with my frequent visits to CPT, it will definitely be my go to office moving forward. Dr. Clifford carefully reviewed everything that had been explained to me by my U.S. dental provider and quickly recognized that I was being recommended treatment that were not needed and that they were trying to take advantage of me. The technology at OptiSmiles is far more advanced than what I have experienced at many dental practices in the States. Communication is also excellent! You’ll receive responses quickly, and the team is always willing to help. I have complete confidence in OptiSmiles and highly recommend them to anyone looking for honest, high-quality dental care. They are not focused on upselling services or taking your money. Instead, they genuinely care about your dental health, your smile, and providing the best care possible.

Rita C.

4 weeks ago

An exceptional experience from start to finish. My journey was a year long & covered replacing old fillings on numerous teeth, Invisalign, cleaning, crowns & injection moulding for that perfect smile. Dr Clifford & Dr Harris are two gentlemen that take the utmost pride in their jobs & attention to detail is key for them. No amount of time spent with them is too long & they never rush you, they answer the same questions over & over with clarity. They make you feel comfortable & that your journey matters, you are not just another client. All the staff are so in sync & as you move from one step to the next all are ready for you. The detailed reports you receive, the reminders for appointments, their equipment & programs used along with the friendliness of all make this journey a pleasant one for a process that usually is not. I can only highly recommend this practice for ALL your dental needs & thank all involved for the exceptional treatment & service!

Dale Y.

4 weeks ago

I had an excellent experience at OptiSmile. My appointment with Aaqilah , the hygienist, was outstanding. She took the time to listen to my concerns and carefully explained every step of the process, which immediately put me at ease. OptiSmile’s new Swiss-made AIRFLOW machine made the cleaning experience remarkably gentle and comfortable. I walked out with a huge smile and noticeably cleaner teeth. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a modern, professional, and genuinely caring dental experience.

Sharon M.

1 month ago

Very professional and welcoming. I felt like I was in safe hands. My treatment options were explained fully and I feel confident that I will receive the best possible care. So pleased to have found OptiSmile.

Marie L.

2 months ago

Fabulous experience with Dr Ruan and the Optismile team. Dr Ruan is calm, very professional, and very talented. My treatment went smoothly and provided excellent results, beyond expectation. I fully recommend Optismile.

Gareth Van W.

2 months ago

Amazing service and expertise

gregory G.

2 months ago

Excellent professional and friendly service

Claris A.

2 months ago

A very welcome place, clean environment and good results for good smile 😃.

Tatenda G.

3 months ago

My 2 year old got injured on his front teeth during the festive season and there were not alot of paedi-dentist on-call. Struggled to find anyone available until I bumped into optismile website and contacted Dr. Yudelman. He was very hands on with giving us referrals and assisting with what we need to do in the mean time as we looked for someone available. I am forever grateful for him taking his time and always following up on us. Thank you so much Doc, God bless.

Hans V.

3 months ago

Juanette takes time to explains what need to be done. She proposes crowns but also respect patients who choose for repair of fillings. I like that approach. I am in the dentists hands but can make my own choice! This was my 3rd visit and I will ask next time for her again.

Eden A.

3 months ago

I had the opportunity to spend time at OptiSmile as a dental student visiting from the United States, and I can confidently say it was one of the best shadowing experiences I’ve had. Although I was not a patient, Dr. Yudelman and the entire staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and professional from the moment I arrived. Dr. Yudelman went out of his way to make me feel included and truly immersed in the practice, taking the time to show me everything they had going on and allowing me to observe different aspects of the clinic. What stood out most was how intentional he was about teaching and sharing his knowledge. It was clear that he genuinely cares about mentorship and creating a positive learning environment. The entire team also contributed to making the experience so comfortable and enjoyable. On top of that, the office itself is absolutely beautiful—modern, well-organized, and very patient-centered. I’m very grateful for the experience and would highly recommend OptiSmile, both for patients and for students seeking meaningful exposure to dentistry.

Elsabe van H.

4 months ago

Highly recommend! I've been a patient with Dr Cara for almost 1.5 years and have been consistently impressed with the excellent service and friendly care. The dentists and all the admin staff are knowledgeable and professional! A top-notch dental experience!

johannes P.

4 months ago

Had an outstanding experience. Dr. Harris and Dr. Clifford were incredibly friendly and professional throughout. My teeth were slightly angled inward, so they treated it with a short course of Invisalign, followed by bleaching and bonding. The final result lools brilliant. So happy woth my new Smile.

Adrian E.

4 months ago

Professional,honest care.

Martin F.

4 months ago

Dr. Cara and the Optismile team is simply the best dental experience I’ve had; including having lived in London and NYC for most of my adult life. The Optismile service is second to none and Dr. Cara’s clinical advice and work, great. I had multiple complicated dental issues, all of which were solved painlessly, quickly and efficiently. The consulting rooms are awesome as are the support team, billing process and very easy parking/access. March 2026. Update. Just visited Cape Town from NYC in order to be cleaned and checked up by Dr. Cara. I would only switch to another dentist if she was proven dead. Please don’t die Dr. Cara. Optismile is amazing because of you.

Alex B.

4 months ago

Without a doubt, the best dental practice. I initially came for an Invisalign consult and Dr Clifford gave me excellent advice about the pros and cons for my situation. Since then, I will only come here for my dental work. Dr Cara has become my regular dentist and I’ve never had such confidence in the state of my teeth. She is meticulous and takes exceptional pride in her work. Professional, friendly and always on time. They’ve done an outstanding job on a tricky front tooth veneer and addressed all my concerns. Similarly, the front desk are welcoming, responsive and always ‘on it.’ Your teeth are an investment and this is the place to do it.

Roast C.

5 months ago

Cannot thank Optismile enough. I've lived with a chipped tooth since my early teens, have had two dental visits in my life (before now), I'm now middle aged and can now remember how I looked (bar the couple decades😉) without a chipped tooth. Got my chipped tooth sorted, full clean and polish. Everything about the experience (not dental appointment/visit, "experience") was world class. From the location( sea views👌🏻), the tour of the practice (in a league of its own), the tech (again world class and in a league of its own) and most importantly the people (your good vibes kept me upbeat for the rest of the day😄). I left with an even bigger better smile, more informed, super super grateful and dumb founded at how a dental appointment could be an "experience". Super pleasant experience, thanks again.

David S.

5 months ago

Amazing experience yesterday. Tremendous care and time given to my Teeth Whitening. His service was truly amazing given in very professional surroundings.

Anthony P.

5 months ago

I had to have an urgent cosmetic repair before leaving South Africa and I cannot speak more highly of the professionalism of everyone at the Optismile clinic! Truly world-class communication, diagnostics and dental work -- my smile is back and I couldn't be more thankful! Truly world class Dr. Clifford -- thank you so much!

Chelsea

5 months ago

Many thanks to Dr. Ruan and his team for a wonderful check up appointment and crown replacement. The office is state of the art. I have decades of dental visits under my belt and this was by far the most thorough and thoughtful. It’s so comforting to have every step explained in detail. HIGHLY recommend.

Ladina R.

5 months ago

Mein Freund und ich sind aus der Schweiz und waren im Dezember bei Dr. Clifford in Kapstadt in Behandlung. Wir waren äusserst zufrieden. Die Praxis ist sehr modern, hervorragend ausgestattet und extrem hygienisch. Man fühlt sich vom ersten Moment an gut aufgehoben und professionell betreut. Dr. Clifford und das Team waren freundlich, kompetent und haben sich viel Zeit genommen. Wir können die Praxis uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen! Vielen Dank, wir werden wieder kommen☺️

Kieran B.

6 months ago

Easily the best dentist in Cape Town. The practice, people and overall experience was superb.

Andrew S.

6 months ago

Many thanks to Dr Clifford and the team at Optismile in Seapoint for giving me a truly five star experience from start to finish. I landed at Cape Town airport with tooth pain, and was seen promptly, with treatment the next day. Everything was delivered with compassion and gentleness, and backed up with the highest level of technology and expertise - and I say this as a dentist myself! I would highly recommend OptiSmile for all your dental needs, both as a visitor or a local.

Carol M.

6 months ago

Fabulous experience at OptiSmile, would fully recommend. I will return

About Dental Inlays and Overlays

Explore the remarkable benefits of dental inlays and onlays, a dental solution that expertly addresses decay or damage beyond the scope of traditional fillings.

What Is A Dental Inlay Or Overlay?

Discover the transformative power of dental inlays and onlays at our leading-edge dental practice in Cape Town! Dental inlays and onlays are bespoke restorative solutions designed to repair teeth that have suffered from decay or damage beyond a traditional cavity. Unlike standard fillings, inlays and onlays are tailored to precisely fit the unique contours of your tooth, ensuring optimal strength, stability, and aesthetic appeal. An inlay is used when the damage is contained within the tooth’s cusps or biting surface, whilst an onlay is used when the damage extends beyond the cusps.

Advantages Of Dental Inlays and Overlays

Superior aesthetics: Inlays and onlays blend seamlessly with natural teeth, providing a visually appealing result.
Enhanced durability: Made from high-quality e.max materials, inlays and onlays offer long-lasting strength and resilience.
Preserves tooth structure: Requires minimal removal of healthy tooth material, promoting overall preservation.
Perfect fit: Custom-crafted to precisely match the contours of your tooth, ensuring optimal comfort and stability.
Decay resistance: Inlays and onlays provide a tight seal, reducing the risk of further tooth decay.
Easy maintenance: Simple to clean and care for, allowing for continued oral hygiene practices.

Dental Inlay and Overlay Process

The process for obtaining dental inlays and onlays begins with a comprehensive examination of the affected tooth, followed by an iTero scanner to generate an accurate digital impression. This advanced technology eliminates the need for uncomfortable and messy traditional impressions. With the help of our leading-edge CEREC same-day procedure, the inlays and onlays are created on our CEREC CAD-CAM milling unit onsite in 15 minutes or less. The restoration is then sintered in a special furnace and emerges as a perfect replacement part for your tooth. OptiSmile only uses high-quality E-max materials. E.max materials are selected for their exceptional durability and natural appearance, ensuring a visually appealing outcome.

Once the custom restoration is finished, the inlay is precisely positioned within the tooth cavity, effectively sealing it and preventing additional damage. The onlay is then expertly situated on the tooth’s surface, providing reinforcement and restoring the tooth’s original structure. The final stage involves bonding the inlay or onlay to the tooth, resulting in a long-lasting and comfortable solution for damaged or decayed teeth. This streamlined CEREC same-day process enables patients to receive restorations quickly without compromising quality or aesthetics.

Why You Should Use OptiSmile For Dental Inlays & Overlays?

Leading-edge technology

OptiSmile stays abreast of the latest advancements in dental technology, ensuring efficient and effective treatments for your smile.

Long-lasting results

With state-of-the-art equipment, OptiSmile provides durable dental inlays and onlays that keep you smiling confidently for a lifetime.

Pain-free experience

Our numbing wand minimises anxiety and ensures dental injections with minimal discomfort for a stress-free dental visit.

Early prevention

Utilising a Leica Microscope, OptiSmile identifies and addresses potential dental issues before they escalate.

Gentle, personalised care

We pride ourselves on offering gentle and tailored dental care, maintaining our patients’ oral health.

Flexible payment options

OptiSmile provides transparent, agreed-upon fees before treatment, ensuring peace of mind and accommodating payment plans.

Inlay and Overlay FAQs

Take a look at our most common questions about dental inlays and overlays. If you have further questions, please reach out to us for help.

Dental Inlays vs Crowns?

Both dental inlays and crowns are restorative treatments for damaged or decayed teeth, but they serve different purposes. Dental inlays repair damage within the cusps or biting surface of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth, protecting it from further damage and restoring its natural shape. Inlays are a more conservative option, preserving more of the tooth’s natural structure than crowns, making them ideal for cases where the damage is less extensive. On the other hand, crowns are recommended when the tooth has experienced more significant damage or requires additional support.

Explore further: Dental Inlays vs Crown

How Long Does An Inlay and Overlay Last?

Dental inlays and overlays are designed to be long-lasting solutions, with an average lifespan of 10 to 20 years or even longer with proper care. The longevity of these restorations depends on various factors, including the material used, the location of the inlay or overlay, and the patient’s oral hygiene habits. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene practices (brushing and flossing daily) can significantly extend the life of your inlays and overlays.

Is An Inlay Or Overlay Better Than A Filling?

Dental inlays and overlays offer several advantages over traditional fillings. They are crafted from high-quality materials such as porcelain, which provides superior aesthetics by blending seamlessly with your natural teeth and offers enhanced durability and strength. Inlays and overlays are custom-made to fit the contours of your tooth precisely, ensuring optimal comfort and stability. Additionally, they provide a better seal, reducing the risk of further tooth decay and requiring minimal removal of healthy tooth structure. In cases of extensive damage or deterioration where a traditional filling may not be sufficient, inlays and overlays are often considered a superior restorative option.

Explore further: Dental Inlay vs Fillings