Returning to work after inlay/onlay: the short version
You can go back to work the same day as an inlay or onlay appointment. Each of the visits is done under local anesthetic and requires no recovery. As with a crown, the first visit is longer and ends with a numb mouth and a temporary restoration, and the second is a shorter bonding visit.
What is actually going on
An inlay or onlay is a custom-made piece that fits into or over part of a back tooth, so the tooth is prepared and recorded at one visit and the finished piece is bonded at the next, unless the office mills it on site the same day. Preparation involves drilling out the old filling or decay and shaping the cavity, which takes longer than a simple filling. You go back to work with a numb cheek and a temporary filling that is softer and less well sealed than the final piece. That temporary is the reason to be careful at lunch for the week or two in between: chew on the other side and avoid sticky food. The bonding visit often brings some cold sensitivity for a few days, but nothing that interferes with work.
The first time, step by step
Both visits allow a same-day return. After the preparation visit you go back with a numb cheek and a soft temporary in a back tooth, so keep conversations short for a couple of hours and eat on the other side. After the bonding visit the numbness is the same, and the new piece wants about a day before normal chewing. If your office mills the restoration on site, the appointment has a wait in the middle, and you may be able to answer email in the waiting room. Once feeling is back, close gently. A tooth that meets first is worth a call to the dentist that day.
Return to Work After Inlay/Onlay: What You Need to Know
Wait time
After a inlay/onlay, you can typically resume returning to work same day.
Why
Minimal recovery
Tips for Returning to work After Inlay/Onlay
- 01Ask whether your office makes inlays in one visit, which can save you a second trip away from work.
- 02Protect the temporary at lunch by chewing on the opposite side and skipping chewy or sticky snacks.
- 03Wait for the numbness to clear before eating or drinking anything hot at your desk.
Common mistakes
- 01Scheduling phone calls for the milling wait at a same-day appointment. You will be numb and slurring, with a prepared tooth open, which is a poor moment to negotiate anything.
- 02Dipping into the office candy bowl while the temporary is in. Toffees and caramels grip a temporary filling and pull it out, usually in the middle of the afternoon.
- 03Booking the bonding visit on the morning of a working lunch. The restoration wants about 24 hours before normal chewing, so you would be picking at soft food on one side in front of clients.
Other Activities After Inlay/Onlay
See when you can do other activities after your inlay/onlay:
Table 1 — Other activities after inlay/onlay
| Activity | Wait |
|---|---|
| Use a Straw | When numbness wears off |
| Eat Normally | 24 hours |
| Smoke | No restriction |
| Drink Alcohol | No restriction |
| Drive | Immediately |
| Exercise | Immediately |
Recovery info
Recovery timelines are general guidelines based on typical cases. Individual recovery may vary based on your health, the complexity of your procedure, and other factors. Your own dentist's or surgeon's post-operative instructions always take priority over anything on this page. Call them if you are unsure.