Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Tired of dark, visible, silver fillings? Porcelain Inlays and Onlays are a great esthetic alternative that protect and restore decayed areas in the tooth, similar to a filling.

An Inlay works to restore the inner decay of the tooth while the Onlay covers mainly the outer part of the tooth. And since they are made of porcelain, they are customized to your tooth’s natural shading which makes them essentially undetectable. Made with the same material used for crowns and bridgework, porcelain Inlays and Onlays are quite strong and durable.

This restorative option is particularly useful for teeth that have been damaged, yet still have a substantial amount of enamel remaining. Whether you need an Inlay, an Onlay, or a combination of both, this restorative procedure allows for an excellent esthetic result.

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays Procedure

This procedure usually requires two appointments for completion. During the first visit, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the inlay or onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and sent to a lab for fabrication. The dentist will then apply a temporary sealant on the tooth and schedule the next appointment.

At the second appointment, the temporary sealant is removed. The inlay or onlay is then bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays Considerations

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. Inlays and onlays are bonded directly to the tooth using special high-strength resins can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they can potentially last from 10 to 30 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.