Inside the corners
An inlay sits within the central part of the tooth, surrounded by natural cusps that stay as they are.
- Looks like an island in the middle of the chewing surface.
- Is suited to sound surrounding walls.
- Leaves every cusp natural.
Easier to grasp when you see it
Inlays & Onlays for Southdale Residents
Words like cusp and margin mean little until you can picture them. Southdale residents who learn by looking can ask, at our Winnipeg clinic, to be shown what is happening in their tooth.
Let's find a time
Request an appointment
Picture the tooth
A Back Tooth Has a Landscape of Its Own
Imagine the top of a molar as a small table with raised corners. The corners are the cusps, and the dip in the middle is the chewing surface. An inlay fills part of that dip, while an onlay also rebuilds one or more of the corners.
Seeing the difference on images or a model can make a recommendation much clearer. Southdale is an area of Winnipeg, and people who live there can ask the dentist at Winnipeg North Dental on McPhillips Street to point it out.
Explore inlays & onlays
Ask to see it
Request that the dentist show you the area of concern when you are given an explanation.
Corners and centre
Thinking of cusps as corners helps separate an inlay from an onlay.
Questions welcome
If a picture still leaves you unsure, ask for it to be explained another way.
Two shapes on the same tooth
Where the restoration sits on the chewing surface.
Both designs are custom-made to fill a prepared space. The visible difference is whether the piece stays inside the cusps or climbs over them.
Over one or more corners
An onlay extends from the centre onto a cusp that needs support, so part of a biting peak is rebuilt by the restoration.
- Rebuilds selected weakened cusps.
- Leaves the other cusps untouched.
- Covers less of the tooth than a crown.
A crown, by comparison, would wrap around the whole visible tooth. Ask to see where each option would sit if a crown is also mentioned.
The process, pictured
Four stages you can follow along with.
These steps describe the usual path. Whether a temporary is worn depends on how the restoration is made.
Request your visit- 01
Taking a close look
The dentist considers cracks, the walls left standing, decay, root health and your bite. Ask to be shown what was found.
- 02
Shaping the space
After numbing, damaged material is removed and the tooth is shaped so the custom piece can be supported.
- 03
Making a digital or physical copy
A scan or impression captures the prepared tooth, the neighbouring contacts and how you bite, and a shade is selected.
- 04
Fitting the finished piece
Fit and bite are checked, small adjustments are made if needed, and the restoration is bonded and polished.
Getting the most from the visit
Plan how you want things explained.
Letting the dentist know you prefer visual explanations helps them choose how to walk you through your options.
If the tooth hurts sharply or breaks before your visit, phone the clinic instead of waiting.
You might ask
- Could you show me on a model where the damage is?
- Which cusps would the onlay cover, if that is the plan?
- What would a filling or a crown look like by comparison?
- Mention also any medications and health conditions you have.
The pale blue chair, and a bench beneath blue prints.
Feeling at ease
Knowing what is coming helps many people relax.
Local anesthetic is normally used for preparation. Short-lived sensitivity after treatment can happen and is expected to improve.
Numb while it is shaped
Freezing keeps the tooth comfortable while damaged material is taken away.
A placeholder in between
If you wear a temporary, remember that it is less sturdy than the finished restoration.
A tooth that settles
Some sensitivity after the work is normal and should lessen over time.
Afterward
Know where the edges are.
Once you can picture where the restoration ends and enamel begins, it is easier to clean that line properly and to notice if something feels different.
01
Trace the margin
Ask where the edges of your restoration are so you can focus cleaning there.
02
Keep it for chewing
Opening things or cracking hard objects with the restored tooth adds stress it does not need.
03
Call about changes
Contact the clinic if your bite feels high, sensitivity is not fading, the piece moves or an edge is rough.
No restoration has a promised lifespan. The tooth that remains, preparation, bonding, moisture control, bite, grinding, hygiene and new decay all shape its performance.
Talk with our team
Winnipeg North Dental
Unit-5 2358 Mcphillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6Get directions (opens in a new tab)Seeing it in person
Explanations Happen on McPhillips Street
When someone from Southdale asks to see their tooth explained, that happens at Winnipeg North Dental, Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg. A link for directions sits beside the address.
In your request, you may say that you prefer visual explanations. Staff will then reach out about a time, and urgent pain should be phoned in.
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 Southdale.
Ask our teamCan the dentist show me my tooth on a screen or model?
It is a reasonable thing to ask. Let the dentist know that seeing the problem helps you understand it.
What is the simplest way to picture the difference between an inlay and an onlay?
Think of the cusps as corners. An inlay stays between them, while an onlay covers one or more of them.
How would an onlay look different from a crown?
An onlay covers only selected cusps and part of the chewing surface. A crown generally covers the whole visible tooth around its circumference.
Will I be able to see the restoration once it is in?
A shade is chosen to suit your tooth, so it may be hard to spot. Ask how visible the planned material would be.
Can I ask for something to be explained again?
Yes. If a description does not make sense, asking for a different explanation or a visual aid is completely fine.
As a Southdale resident, how do I ask for a visual walkthrough of my options?
Send a request here or call (204) 338-3003 and mention your preference. The walkthrough itself would take place at Unit 5, 2358 McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, MB R2V 4J6.
See the alternatives
Other restorations you may be shown.
These pages explain treatments the dentist might compare with an inlay or onlay.
Dental Crowns
Learn how custom dental crowns in Winnipeg protect cracked, worn or root canal-treated teeth while restoring comfortable function, shape and appearance.
Explore serviceDental 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 serviceRestorative & Prosthodontics
Explore restorative and prosthodontic dentistry in Winnipeg, including crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, implants and full-mouth treatment planning.
Explore serviceHave an urgent concern? Call (204) 338-3003 to discuss availability.
Look before you decide
Ask to be shown your options.
Request a visit at our Winnipeg clinic, and the office will be in touch to arrange it. Call if the tooth becomes urgent.