The Plus Side of Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

If you are wondering why your dentist is recommending a porcelain inlay or onlay for your teeth or problematic tooth, here are a few of the many advantages of these popular dental restorations.

Dental inlays and onlays are indirect fillings used in dental restorations to reconstruct a tooth’s anatomy and function once a cavity or decay is removed from a tooth. They can be made of porcelain, composite resin, sometimes even gold. The primary purpose of inlays and onlays is to strengthen the integrity of teeth or replace old or damaged fillings. A popular choice for dentists and patients alike, porcelain inlays and onlays provide a highly aesthetic, natural look, especially when compared to traditional metal fillings.

The porcelain-colored material used to create both porcelain inlays and onlays is extremely durable making them ideal for creating a natural, aesthetically pleasing smile and bite that can last for decades. Inlays and onlays help dental patients avoid more invasive dental procedures in the future by fully restoring the teeth. You can possibly avoid the need of dental crowns, bridges or implants if your tooth can be saved with an inlay or onlay.

Still not sold on why you need a porcelain inlay or onlay? Here are a few other advantages you may want to consider. Inlays and onlays can be perfectly contoured to the affected tooth allowing for full restoration of tooth and clear margins at the gum line. Porcelain inlays and onlays are extremely durable compared to white fillings. There is the ability for your dentist to have exact color matching and translucency which mimics natural teeth. There is less bacterial leakage with inlays and onlays because of superior fit and less wear and tear on your bite.

If you are lucky enough to find an experienced cosmetic dentist, porcelain onlays and inlays can resurrect your smile and improve your bite. They offer a unique approach to dental restorations adding health, beauty, function, and durability to problematic and damaged teeth.