Inlay or Onlay Recovery
A custom-fitted restoration between a filling and a crown. Here’s the visit-by-visit timeline.
The Full Guide
Think of this as a step up from a filling. Instead of soft material placed directly in your mouth, it's a custom, lab-made piece (porcelain, composite, or gold) made to fit precisely into (inlay) or over (onlay) the chewing surface of a tooth.
Used when a cavity is too big for a regular filling but not big enough to need a full crown, an inlay or onlay is a more conservative option that preserves more of your natural tooth than a crown would, while still giving you a durable, precisely-fitted restoration.
Not sure if your cavity needs a filling, an inlay/onlay, or a crown? Book a consultation and we'll take a look.
No special prep needed beyond a normal meal beforehand, since you'll be numb for a few hours after the first visit.
Local anesthetic numbs the area before we begin. For upper teeth, numbness is usually limited to the cheek, lip, and gum near the tooth. Lower back teeth typically require a "block" injection, which numbs an entire side of the lower jaw, including the lip, chin, and often the tongue, not just the tooth being worked on.
Decay removal and shaping of the tooth, same as a filling. A digital scan or impression is taken and sent to the lab, and a temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth while the final piece is made.
Numbing again, the temporary is removed, and the final inlay or onlay is checked for fit and bonded into place. Bite is checked and adjusted.
Numbness and sensitivity follow the same pattern as a filling after each visit.
The temporary is not as strong as the final piece. Avoid sticky (gum, caramel) or hard foods on that side.
Mild sensitivity to temperature for 1–2 weeks is normal as the tooth settles.
the temporary falls out before your second visit (call us to have it re-seated. Don't leave the tooth exposed), or the final restoration feels high when you bite.
A note on this guide: this is general guidance. Your treating doctor's specific instructions for your individual case always take priority over anything written here. If something feels off or you're unsure, call us. Don't wait it out.
General & preventative care
Questions about your recovery?
We're always happy to talk through anything that feels uncertain. Never hesitate to call.