In Calgary, the professional fee for a single-surface porcelain inlay or onlay starts at approximately $729.17 based on the current fee guide. When you include custom laboratory costs, the total price usually ranges between $1,000 and $1,500 per tooth.

Yes, dentists frequently use inlays and onlays as a conservative alternative to full crowns when a tooth has moderate decay but still has healthy structure. They provide more strength than a standard filling while requiring less tooth removal than a crown.

The choice depends entirely on the location and extent of the damage to your tooth. An inlay fits inside the bumps of the tooth, while an onlay covers one or more of those bumps to protect the biting surface.

A dental inlay is generally less expensive than a full crown because it covers a smaller area and requires less material. While laboratory fees are similar, the professional procedure fee for an inlay is typically lower than the fee for a complete crown.