When we discover tooth decay or a broken tooth, porcelain inlays or onlays may be a good solution. We can give you a strong new tooth surface with sturdy porcelain inlays or onlays. They reinforce the natural tooth, making it stronger and giving it a longer life.
What are Porcelain Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and onlays are porcelain restorations. Rather than being packed into the tooth like a composite filling or metal amalgam filling, they are custom-made in a lab and then bonded directly to your tooth. They then become an indistinguishable part of your tooth. Unlike metal fillings that expand and contract with temperature and lead to cracks in the tooth, porcelain inlays and onlays are bonded
to the tooth and reinforce the tooth structure.
A porcelain inlay is smaller, filling the area within the cusps, or peaks, of your tooth.
A porcelain onlay is larger, extending over one or more cusps to the outside surface of the tooth.
Porcelain Inlays and Onlays vs. Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain inlays and onlays are custom-designed in a lab, just like porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. Porcelain crowns, however, are used when insufficient tooth structure remains to hold a porcelain inlay, onlay or white filling. Porcelain veneers are used to cover small defects on the front surface of the tooth.
Your First Appointment
We will first remove the damaged or decayed area of your tooth after local anesthetic is used to keep you comfortable during your entire procedure.
Then we will make an impression of the tooth. This impression is sent to their cosmetic lab where a customized porcelain inlay or onlay is made to fit your tooth. This lab process typically takes about two weeks.
While the master ceramist is making your porcelain inlay or onlay, you will have a temporary in place to fill the prepared area of your tooth.
Your Second Appointment
During your second appointment, we will remove the temporary inlay or onlay and permanently bond the porcelain restoration to your tooth. To complete the procedure, your entire tooth is smoothed and polished for a natural feeling.
Instant Improvement
Using porcelain makes your inlay or onlay virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. The porcelain can be matched to your original tooth color. Once the porcelain inlay or onlay is permanently bonded to your tooth, it then becomes a part of the tooth and is less likely to loosen or fall out; and the inlay or onlay will support and strengthen the tooth.
We can help you decide if a porcelain inlay or onlay would be your best option. Contact Us today to
schedule a consultation where you can ask questions, meet the Follis Team members, and
experience the welcoming comfort of the environment where confident smiles are brought to life.
Mon-Wed 7:30am-4:30pm • Thurs. 7:00am-2:00pm • Fri. 8:00am-3:00pm