Porcelain Inlays & Onlays: Difference ; Benefits

Indirect fillings, such as Porcelain inlays & onlays, are those in which the filling material is not put directly to the tooth and molded afterward (as done while getting a traditional filling). An indirect filling is ideal when there is inadequate dental structure to support a conventional filling. Still, the damage is not so severe that a crown is necessary. Dental inlay & onlays treatment needs two appointments with your dentist to provide long-lasting and robust results. 

General Procedure

When you come in for your initial appointment, your Pinole dentist will remove the damage caused by the cavity or an old filling that needs replacing. Afterward, the dentist will take a dental imprint of the problematic tooth and the surrounding teeth. The pattern goes to the dental lab, and the work to fabricate your indirect filling will start. Meanwhile, the hollow chunk formed in your tooth by removing an old filling or cavity is filled with a temporary filler to protect against further damage. In a second appointment, the dentist will take out the temporary filling and examine the indirect inlays/onlays restoration model for proper fit. If it is a good fit, your dentist will permanently bond it to the surface of your tooth. As a result, the inlays/onlays can withstand pressure due to teeth grinding, chewing, or any other force. 

Definition of an Inlay

An inlay becomes necessary when a dental filling won't do the job. A dental inlay covers the space between your teeth's crests and only repairs the tooth's biting surfaces. Your dentist will acquire a carefully crafted porcelain inlay model to match the area left by the extraction of your natural teeth. This treatment aims to stop food and other germs from getting beneath your filling and causing more deterioration.

Definition of an Onlay

Partially crowning your tooth is another term for an onlay since it may repair the biting surface of the tooth as well as one or more chewing cusps/bumps of your tooth. For instance, an onlay may be necessary if cavity decay is visible in the center or side of your tooth.

When it is required to remove and fill a more significant portion of your tooth, onlay is the right solution because an inlay is possible in a small or only in the middle part of the tooth. However, onlay will take up less space than a dental crown. A crown is a cap covering the whole surface of a tooth to restore its function.

Why Porcelain? 

Dental Inlays/Onlays are available in gold, Porcelain, or composite materials. But following are the benefits of Porcelain materials which knock every other option out of the park. 

• In addition to being inherently transparent, Porcelain can easily match the hue of the patient's tooth. So you can always smile confidently!
• Porcelain inlays/onlays strengthen a tooth by 75%, compared to amalgam fillings, which can usually weaken the tooth.
• When it comes to large cavities, porcelain fillings are more lasting than composite fillings.
• They are more aesthetically pleasing than gold or silver fillings. 
• They are cemented to the teeth, superimposed by blue light technology, so there is no chance of any germ or food particle sneaking inside and causing any dental cavities in the future. 
• Regarding durability and effectiveness, porcelain inlays and onlays are hard to beat. A ten-fold increase in longevity over conventional fillings is possible with them. If cared for properly, they can last for 30 years. 
• They require replacement in an average time range, as with most dental restorations.

Final Words

Porcelain inlays/onlays are a worthwhile investment, given their numerous advantages. These fillings are almost unnoticeable and ideal for smile repair. Their durability and efficiency help you prevent tooth decay and speech or eating issues. Although, selecting a dentist who can appropriately form your teeth's edges is critical if you pick less invasive dental remedies like porcelain inlays/onlays.

Contact your Pinole dentists, Dr. Azadeh Hosseini and Dr. Ghazal Hosseini at Top Pinole Dental to know more about Porcelain Inlays & Onlays.

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Advantages Of Porcelain Inlays And Onlays

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition