Cracked fillings, worn-down molars, or large cavities don’t always require a full crown. At Yaletown Dental Boutique, we offer custom inlays and onlays—durable restorations that rebuild and protect your tooth while preserving more of its natural structure.
These restorations are crafted for strength, aesthetics, and a precise fit. From ceramic to gold, each inlay or onlay is tailored to restore your smile without compromise. Conveniently located in Yaletown near David Lam Park, our clinic serves Downtown Vancouver with conservative, detail-driven dental care.
Inlays and onlays are custom-made dental restorations that repair damage too extensive for a filling, but not severe enough to require a full crown. They fit precisely onto or into your tooth, restoring strength while preserving healthy enamel.
Each restoration is crafted outside the mouth—typically in a dental lab or via CAD/CAM—and bonded into place for a snug, natural fit.
Inlays fit inside the grooves of the chewing surface, similar to a filling but with better durability and sealing.
Onlays extend over one or more cusps (the raised edges of the tooth), covering larger areas while still conserving tooth structure.
These restorations are ideal for patients with moderate decay, cracked fillings, or weakened chewing surfaces. At Yaletown Dental Boutique, we design inlays and onlays with precision, using advanced materials that look and feel just like natural enamel.
Inlays and onlays offer a conservative yet durable solution for restoring back teeth that need more than a filling but less than a crown.
They’re especially valuable for patients seeking functional strength with a natural look.
Preserve Healthy Tooth Structure
Unlike crowns, inlays and onlays require minimal enamel removal. This helps retain more of your natural tooth, supporting long-term oral health and reducing the risk of future complications.
Seamless, Natural Appearance
Each restoration is crafted to match the shape, colour, and translucency of your surrounding enamel. Whether you’re at a meeting in Downtown Vancouver or sipping coffee on Mainland Street, your restoration blends in completely.
Durability That Supports Daily Use
Stronger than standard fillings, inlays and onlays distribute bite pressure evenly across the tooth. They’re ideal for molars that handle heavy chewing or teeth weakened by past restorations.
Superior Bond and Protection
Bonded using advanced dental adhesives, these restorations form a tight seal against bacteria. This helps prevent leakage, reduces the risk of recurrent decay, and minimizes long-term sensitivity.
The right material for your inlay or onlay depends on the location of the tooth, your bite, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. At Yaletown Dental Boutique, we offer a variety of high-quality materials tailored to your needs.
Porcelain and Ceramic
These are the most popular choices for patients who prioritize aesthetics. Porcelain and ceramic restorations closely mimic the translucency and tone of natural enamel, making them nearly indistinguishable from real teeth. They’re also stain-resistant and suitable for most back or visible teeth.
Composite Resin
Each restoration is crafted to match the shape, colour, and translucency of your surrounding enamel. Whether you’re at a meeting in Downtown Vancouver or sipping coffee on Mainland Street, your restoration blends in completely.
Gold
Gold offers unmatched durability and a precise fit, making it ideal for molars and patients who grind or clench. While less discreet than tooth-coloured materials, gold restorations can last decades with proper care and rarely fracture.
Zirconia and Advanced Ceramics
Zirconia combines strength with aesthetics and is highly biocompatible—an excellent choice for those with sensitivities to metals. These materials are strong enough for heavy-bite areas while still offering a lifelike appearance.
Inlays and onlays are ideal when a tooth is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough to require a crown. Understanding how these options compare helps you choose the best solution for your needs.
are best for small areas of decay or minor repairs. They’re fast, affordable, and effective for simple cases. However, they may not offer enough strength for larger cavities or back teeth exposed to heavy chewing forces.
cover the entire tooth and are used when the damage is extensive—such as after root canal therapy or significant fractures. While crowns offer strong protection, they require more enamel removal and often involve a more invasive process.
offer a middle-ground solution. They preserve more of your natural tooth than a crown while being stronger and longer-lasting than a filling. They’re especially useful for restoring molars, treating cracks, or replacing large failing fillings.
Getting an inlay or onlay at Yaletown Dental Boutique is a straightforward, patient-focused experience. The process typically spans two appointments and is designed to be precise, efficient, and comfortable.
First Appointment: Assessment and Tooth Prep
We begin with a detailed consultation and exam to confirm that an inlay or onlay is the most suitable treatment. If so, we gently remove the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth while preserving as much healthy enamel as possible. Then, we take digital scans or impressions to capture the tooth’s exact contours.
Fabrication: Custom Lab or In-House CAD/CAM
Your restoration is then crafted to match your natural bite and shade. Depending on the material and your case, this may happen offsite at a dental lab or right in our clinic using CAD/CAM technology for same-day convenience.
Temporary Protection (If Needed)
If your restoration is being made at a lab, we’ll place a temporary cover to protect the tooth and maintain your bite. It will stay in place until your next appointment.
Second Appointment: Bonding the Final Restoration
We remove the temporary and carefully bond your inlay or onlay in place using high-strength adhesive. After adjusting the bite and polishing the surface, the restoration will look, feel, and function like your natural tooth.
Inlays and onlays are built to last—but how long they hold up depends on the material used, your bite, and how well you care for your teeth.
Your own results will depend on factors like grinding habits, oral hygiene, and where the restoration is placed. Regular check-ups and cleanings go a long way in extending their lifespan. And if anything ever starts to wear down, we’ll catch it early and adjust as needed.
While inlays and onlays are a great option for many patients, there are cases where other treatments make more sense.
If you’re dealing with ongoing gum disease or poor oral hygiene, we’ll need to stabilize your gum health first. These restorations require a healthy foundation to succeed.
Patients who clench or grind their teeth heavily may also benefit more from a full-coverage crown or a protective night guard. Excessive pressure can wear down or dislodge inlays or onlays over time.
In cases of extensive decay or a severely cracked tooth, there may not be enough healthy structure left to support an inlay or onlay. A crown or implant may provide a stronger, longer-lasting solution.
Finally, if access is limited—like with certain back molars—placing an inlay or onlay with the required precision can be challenging. In these cases, a direct composite filling or crown may deliver a better outcome.
Note: At Yaletown Dental Boutique, we’ll walk you through every option and recommend what’s truly best for your tooth, your smile, and your long-term oral health.
If you’re dealing with a worn filling, a cracked molar, or want a solution that blends durability with aesthetics, custom inlays and onlays may be the ideal fit.
At Yaletown Dental Boutique, we take a precision-first approach to smile restoration. Every restoration is custom-crafted for your unique tooth structure, helping preserve what’s healthy while restoring what’s damaged.
Our clinic is steps from the Canada Line and minutes from David Lam Park, serving patients across Yaletown, Downtown Vancouver, and surrounding neighbourhoods. Whether you need a second opinion or a long-term solution, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Book your consultation today and find out if inlays or onlays are right for your smile.
An inlay fits within the grooves of a tooth, like a filling, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps. Onlays provide more coverage for larger areas without needing a full crown.
For larger cavities or damaged areas, yes. Inlays and onlays offer better strength, fit, and long-term protection compared to standard composite fillings.
Many extended dental plans offer partial coverage, especially if the restoration is needed for structural repair. We’ll provide a detailed estimate and help verify your benefits before treatment.
Absolutely. We use tooth-coloured ceramic, porcelain, or resin materials that match the surrounding enamel, offering a seamless, aesthetic finish.
Not at all. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients experience little to no discomfort during or after treatment.
Treatment under the Canadian Dental Care Plan is not fully covered. A co-payment will apply.
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