FAQ

What are dental inlays and onlays?

ByDr Susan Pan, DDS September 1, 2023 Reading Time: 1 minute

They’re restorative fillings made of composite or porcelain that fit into or onto the tooth, often used when a standard filling isn’t suitable.

Online Appointment Requests

Dr Susan Pan, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Susan R. Pan, DDS, is a highly qualified dentist with a long-standing engagement in the field since 1986. She was a recipient of the Dr. Gerald Z Wright Award for graduating first in her class at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario. Additionally, she worked as a clinical instructor for new dentists at the University of Western Ontario’s School of Dentistry and graduated from the Dental School of Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Pan has received recognition for her exceptional work, as she was consecutively awarded the Diamond Winner for the Readers’ Choice of their Favorite Dentist by the Hamilton Spectator in 2014 and 2015, and was nominated for the same title multiple times in 2007, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Recent Posts

Worn or Damaged Teeth: When Conservative Bonding May Help Before a Crown
Do worn or damaged teeth always need crowns? Often, no. In selected cases, bonded composite buildups or partial-coverage overlays may help preserve more natural tooth structure. Here is how dentists decide, what current evidence suggests, and when a crown may still be the better choice.
Do You Really Need a Dental Checkup Every 6 Months? What Risk-Based Recall Means in Ontario
A 6-month dental checkup is common, but it is not a rule that fits every adult. In Ontario, recall timing should be based on your current risk, how stable your mouth has been over time, and what kind of preventive and restorative care you need to stay healthy.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare Basics: What to Do at Home, What Helps, and When to Call
A practical home-care guide for the first 24 to 72 hours after a routine tooth extraction or wisdom tooth removal, including bleeding, swelling, pain relief, eating, cleaning, and when to contact your dentist urgently.
Senior Dental Care and Medication-Related Dry Mouth: What Helps, What Raises Risk, and When to Ask for a Medication Review
Medication-related dry mouth is common in older adults and can do more than cause discomfort. It can raise the risk of root cavities, sore tissues, denture problems, and oral infections. This guide explains what causes it, what may help symptoms, why fluoride matters, and when to ask your dentist, doctor, or pharmacist for a medication review.
Broken Tooth Restoration After a Fracture: When a Filling Is Enough, When a Crown or Onlay Is Safer, and When the Tooth Cannot Be Saved
A broken tooth is not always lost, and it does not always need the same repair. Learn how dentists decide between bonding or a filling, an onlay, a crown, root canal treatment, or extraction based on the crack, the amount of healthy tooth left, and whether the tooth is truly restorable.
Cracked Fillings: When a Small Repair Is Enough and When Replacement Really Matters
A cracked filling does not always mean the whole filling has to come out. Learn the signs that matter, how dentists decide between monitoring, repair, or replacement, and what to do before your appointment.
Tooth Infection Signs That Need Prompt Care and When to Go to the ER
A tooth infection can start as a dental problem but sometimes becomes a medical emergency. Learn which symptoms usually need same-day dental care, which red flags mean go to the ER, and why antibiotics alone often do not solve the problem.
Tooth Extraction Recovery Planning: What to Do Before, the First 48 Hours, and When to Call Your Dentist
Recovery after a tooth extraction is easier to manage when the plan starts before your appointment. Learn what to prepare at home, how to protect the blood clot, what helps with bleeding and pain in the first 48 hours, and which warning signs mean you should call your dentist the same day.

What are dental inlays and onlays?

Dental Services

Office Hours

Excel Dental