An inlay, in simple terms
Picture a custom piece that slots into the central groove of the chewing surface and stops short of the bumps around it.
- Sits between the cusps.
- Replaces the damaged centre.
- Surrounding walls should be suitable.
Your first bigger repair
Inlays & Onlays for River Trail Residents
Up to now, dental work may have meant a quick filling or nothing at all. For River Trail residents facing a first custom restoration, here is what is new about it, with treatment at our clinic on McPhillips Street in Winnipeg.
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New territory
What Changes When a Repair Is Made for You Rather Than in the Tooth
A filling is formed right in the tooth while you are in the chair. An inlay or onlay works differently, because the piece is created outside your mouth from a detailed record, then attached with adhesive. That one change explains most of what will seem unfamiliar about it.
You may meet new ideas such as temporaries, shade selection and bite checks, and none of them should feel mysterious by the time you sit down. River Trail residents having this work are seen at Winnipeg North Dental, on McPhillips Street in Winnipeg, and can ask about anything on this page.
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Made, then attached
Fabrication takes place away from the tooth, a major difference from the fillings you may know.
More to the appointment
Preparing, recording, fitting and bonding add up to a longer process than a basic direct repair.
Still numbed as usual
The numbing you may recall from a filling is generally part of preparing for this work too.
Learning the two types
A beginner’s guide to the shapes involved.
Your back teeth have bumps called cusps along their chewing surfaces. Their condition is what separates the two kinds of restoration.
An onlay, in simple terms
Here the piece reaches up and over one or more bumps that have weakened. It still leaves stronger areas of your tooth alone.
- Reaches over selected cusps.
- Stops short of covering everything.
- A crown goes all the way round.
You do not need to work out which one applies to you. That decision follows the dentist’s examination of the tooth.
Your first time through
Unfamiliar steps, explained in order.
Knowing the sequence ahead of time can take much of the strangeness out of it. Here is the order things tend to follow.
Request your visit- 01
Getting the tooth ready
Much like a filling, this usually begins with local anesthetic. Your dentist then clears away damage and shapes what is left.
- 02
Recording the result
This is the new part. A scan or an impression captures the tooth and your bite, and a colour is selected to go with your teeth.
- 03
Waiting for the piece
Making it is the other new part. If it is not ready at that visit, a temporary may fill the space and call for careful treatment.
- 04
Trying it on
The piece is tested for fit and bite, somewhat like a garment. Once it is right, it is bonded in place and polished.
Before your first one
Bring questions, even ones that feel basic.
No one expects you to know the terminology. It is fine to say that this is new to you, and to ask to have a word or step explained.
When a tooth becomes painful in the meantime, or breaks, set the form aside and phone the clinic directly.
You could ask
- How is this different from the filling I had?
- How will I know what to do with a temporary?
- What should the tooth feel like afterward?
- What material are you planning to use, and why?
An aqua treatment chair with a headrest, and paintings above a bench.
If bigger sounds scarier
A more involved repair is not necessarily a harsher one.
Words like fabrication and preparation can sound more dramatic than the experience they describe. Tell the dentist that you have not had this kind of treatment, and ask to be walked through each stage.
Ask for a running commentary
You are welcome to ask what is about to happen before each new stage begins.
Numb, then gently aware
After the local anesthetic takes effect, you may sense pressure or vibration as the tooth is shaped.
Mild tenderness can happen
A little passing sensitivity is possible later on, and it should improve as the days go by.
Your first weeks with it
Getting used to a custom restoration.
A piece that has been polished and bonded should soon stop drawing attention, though your tongue may explore it for a while. Treat it much like the rest of your teeth, with extra care at the edges.
01
Learn where the edges are
Your floss and toothbrush should pass along the line at which the restoration meets your tooth.
02
Treat it like a tooth
Eat with it as advised, but do not open things with it or bite on objects that are not food.
03
Trust your sense of bite
If your teeth do not meet as they did, or tenderness will not fade, tell the clinic.
First-timers often ask about lifespan, and no fixed answer exists. Remaining tooth, material, bonding, bite, grinding, hygiene and new decay all contribute.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Your first visit
Where Your First Restoration Would Be Done
River Trail residents having a first inlay or onlay attend Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, where all stages take place.
Online requests are reviewed by the office, which then arranges a time with you, so nothing is reserved at the moment you submit. Pain calls for a phone call.
Questions about coverage?
Talk with our team before your visit or learn about CDCP.
A little clarity before your visit
Your questions, answered.
Helpful details about inlays & onlays in River Trail.
Ask our teamAm I too young to need something like this?
Damage is not limited to any age. If decay or a fracture has grown beyond what a filling can comfortably handle, an inlay or onlay may be discussed at any stage of life.
Does having an inlay mean my teeth are in bad shape?
Not necessarily. It means one tooth has damage that may need more support than a direct filling. Your dentist can tell you how the rest of your mouth is doing.
Will this take longer than my filling did?
Most likely, since the piece must be recorded, made, fitted and bonded. Ask how the timing would look for your own treatment, as it can vary with how it is fabricated.
Will my tongue notice something different?
It may at first, as tongues are quick to spot change. A rough edge is not something you should have to live with, so tell the clinic if you feel one.
What do I do with the temporary if it feels strange?
Temporaries are less durable than the finished piece and may feel different. Follow the instructions you were given, and contact the clinic if you have a concern about it.
I have never been to your clinic. How does a River Trail newcomer get a tooth seen?
Send the form or phone (204) 338-3003 and explain that you need the tooth looked at. Treatment takes place at Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, at a time confirmed with you.
More basics to read
Learn about the neighbouring options.
If you are new to restorative dentistry, it may help to see how fillings and crowns compare, and why tooth-coloured materials get mentioned.
Dental Fillings
Restore cavities, chips and worn areas with tooth-coloured dental fillings in Winnipeg. Learn when repair is needed and what happens during treatment.
Explore serviceTooth-colored Restorations
Explore tooth-coloured restorations in Winnipeg for repairing decay, chips, wear or failing fillings with materials selected to blend with nearby enamel.
Explore serviceDental Crowns
Learn how custom dental crowns in Winnipeg protect cracked, worn or root canal-treated teeth while restoring comfortable function, shape and appearance.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
No experience needed
Start with one tooth and all your beginner questions.
Request an exam at our McPhillips Street clinic in Winnipeg with the form, then watch for a response from the office about a time. Sore teeth are better handled by phone.