Hey there, if you’re a dentist, lab tech, or anyone who’s ever had to sit through multiple dental appointments just to get a basic filling, you probably know the grind. Lately, I’ve been getting a ton of questions from my clients (that’s dental practices and labs I supply inlays and onlays to) asking a super common one: Do onlays or inlays actually need multiple dentist visits? I get it—time is money, right? Patients hate sitting in chairs more than once for a restorative procedure, and your schedule is already packed with cleanings, exams, and emergencies. Let’s break this down like we’re chatting over a coffee, no stuffy dental jargon, and no B.S. Onlay/Inlay
First, let’s keep it simple: What even are inlays and onlays? If you need a big filling (think: a cavity that’s too big for a regular composite filling but not big enough for a crown), an inlay is a custom-fitted piece that sits inside the cusp of your tooth, and an onlay covers one or more cusps. Both are way stronger than fillings, last longer, and look way more natural than metal. But here’s the thing people argue about: Do you have to come back two, three, or even more times?
Back in the old days (like, pre-2000s old days), yeah, multiple visits were non-negotiable. Let’s walk through that old process so you can see why it used to take so long. First visit: You’d come in, the dentist would drill out the cavity, make a mold (that goopy, squishy stuff they used to put in your mouth that made you gag), wait for it to set, send it to a lab, and that lab would make the inlay or onlay from gold, porcelain, or whatever material they used. Then, 1-2 weeks later, you’d come back to get it tried in, adjusted, and cemented. That’s two visits minimum, right? No way around it. The lab needed time to make the custom piece, and there was no way to do it in the office back then.
But hold on—things have changed. A lot. That’s where my supply side comes in, by the way. The materials we now supply for inlays and onlays are a game-changer. We stock monolithic zirconia, lithium disilicate, and hybrid ceramics that can be milled right in the dental office. It’s called same-day dentistry, and it’s been blowing up over the last 10 years. So now, one visit is actually possible for most patients.
Wait, let’s clarify: When is one visit doable, and when do you still need two? That’s the key question here. Let’s split it into two scenarios.
Scenario 1: Same-day, one-visit inlays/onlays. This works for most cases where the tooth isn’t super damaged. Let’s say a patient has a cavity on a molar, the dentist drills out the decay, prepares the tooth (shapes it so the inlay/onlay fits), then instead of sending a mold to a lab, they use a digital scanner to take a 3D image of the tooth. That scanner spits out a file, which gets sent to an in-office milling machine—our materials are compatible with all major millers, so no extra work there. The miller carves the custom inlay or onlay in like 15-20 minutes, the dentist tries it in, adjusts the fit if needed, bonds it permanently, and boom—done. No second visit. Patients love it because they don’t have to come back, and you love it because you get it all done in one slot.
But wait, why would anyone still do two visits? Let’s talk about Scenario 2: Two or more visits. When is that necessary? First, if the patient doesn’t have an in-office milling machine. Not every practice can afford that equipment, right? It’s an upfront cost, so small practices or those in rural areas might still send work out to a commercial lab. That means the mold has to go out, wait for the lab to make the piece, and then the patient comes back for placement. Also, if the tooth has other issues—like a cracked tooth that needs a root canal first. If a patient needs a root canal before getting their inlay/onlay, that’s at least one extra visit, so total becomes three. Sometimes, the inlay/onlay needs a lot of adjustments, or the cementation takes extra time, but that’s usually still in the same visit. Oh, and if the patient’s insurance only covers lab-fabricated pieces? Some plans are stuck in the old days, so they won’t pay for same-day office-made ones, so you have to go the lab route.
Now, let’s get real: A lot of people ask me, “Is same-day just a gimmick?” No, it’s not. But it’s not for every case. I work with hundreds of dental practices, and we see a split: about 60% of my clients do same-day inlays/onlays now, using the materials we supply, and 40% still use the lab route. The biggest factors are equipment, patient needs, and insurance.
But here’s a pro tip from someone who’s been supplying these products for years: If you’re still doing two visits, there are ways to make it less of a hassle. For example, when you send the mold, use a fast-setting impression material (we stock that, too) so the mold is ready to ship within minutes, not hours. And when you get the inlay/onlay back from the lab, pre-check it before the patient comes in to avoid extra adjustments. That cuts down on the second visit time from 30+ minutes to 10-15, so it’s not as annoying.
Another thing I hear a lot: “Do inlays/onlays require more visits than crowns?” Not really. Same-day crowns also use in-office milling, so they’re one visit too. In fact, inlays/onlays are often faster to make than crowns because they’re smaller—milling an inlay takes less time than a full crown, so same-day is even more efficient for those.
Wait, let’s address a common myth: Some patients think if they get an inlay/onlay, they’ll need a crown soon, which would mean more visits. That’s not true if the inlay/onlay is done right. Inlays/onlays are designed to protect the remaining tooth structure, so they actually prevent the need for a crown down the line. So that’s a win for patients, even if they do end up needing an extra visit later if something goes wrong.
Now, let’s talk about my side of the business, since that’s who I am. I don’t just ship random materials—we focus on making products that work for both same-day and lab-based workflows. A while back, we noticed a lot of practices were struggling with fit issues with office-milled inlays, so we adjusted our zirconia material to be more millable without losing strength. That cut adjustment time by like 20%, which is a huge deal for dentists who are crunched for time. We also offer lab-grade porcelain for practices that still send work out, so their labs get a consistent product every time.
If you’re a dentist reading this, you know that patient satisfaction is everything. If you can offer one-visit inlays/onlays, your patients will rave about you—no more “I have to come back next week” headaches. If you’re a lab tech, you know that custom inlays/onlays that fit right the first time mean fewer rejections and happier clients. That’s why so many practices are switching to the same-day route, and it’s all thanks to the materials we supply.
Wait, but let’s be honest—there are still cases where even same-day might need a little extra. For example, if a patient has a very small mouth, or a tooth that’s in a hard-to-reach spot, the digital scanner might have a bit of trouble getting a perfect image, so you might need a backup mold. That’s rare, but it’s a thing. And in those cases, you’d still need a second visit to make any fixes. But that’s the exception, not the rule.
Let me wrap this up with a clear answer to the original question: Do onlays/inlays require multiple visits? The short answer is: It depends. If your practice has in-office digital scanning and milling equipment, and the case is straightforward (no root canal needed, no complex damage), then one visit is totally possible. If you don’t have that equipment, or the case is more complex, then two visits are standard. Sometimes, a root canal or other pre-procedures will add more visits, but that’s not specific to inlays/onlays—that’s just part of dental work in general.
For anyone in the dental field who’s looking to streamline their workflow, we’ve got you. Our team works with practices of all sizes to figure out the best materials for their needs, whether that’s same-day millable pieces or lab-grade materials. We also offer fast shipping, so you don’t have to wait around for supplies. If you’re interested in learning more about how our inlays and onlays can fit into your practice’s schedule, feel free to reach out to our team to discuss your specific needs. We’re here to help make restorative dentistry easier for you, and less of a hassle for your patients.
PFM Ni Cr References:
- American Dental Association. (2022). Restorative Dental Materials: Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns. Journal of the American Dental Association.
- International Journal of Prosthodontics. (2021). Same-Day Restorative Dentistry: Outcomes of Monolithic Zirconia Inlays and Onlays.
- Dental Materials Journal. (2020). Comparison of Lab-Fabricated vs. Office-Milled Lithium Disilicate Inlays and Onlays.
- Academy of General Dentistry. (2023). Patient Satisfaction with Single-Visit Restorative Procedures.
- Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. (2022). Longevity of Inlays and Onlays: A 10-Year Clinical Study.
Shenzhen Lucky Dental Laboratory Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Lucky Dental Laboratory Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional onlay/inlay manufacturers and suppliers in China since 1998, specialized in providing high quality customized service. We warmly welcome you to buy cheap onlay/inlay from our factory.
Address:
E-mail: delia@luckydentallab.com
WebSite: https://www.luckydentallab.com/
