Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in San Francisco, CA

When it comes to restoring a tooth’s shape and structure, fillings or crowns are a popular choice. However, there is a more conservative, natural-looking option that restores strength and aesthetics to your teeth—inlays and onlays. These restorations cover only the portion of the tooth that needs it instead of a filling or crown that covers the entire tooth. 

Our team at Symphony Dental Studio offers porcelain inlays and onlays as alternatives to traditional fillings or dental crowns. Contact our office in San Francisco, CA, today if you have a damaged or decayed tooth. We will examine your dental health and determine if porcelain inlays or onlays are the right tooth restoration option for your smile. 

What Is an Inlay and Onlay?

Inlays and onlays are custom-made tooth restorations used to repair teeth with large defective fillings or decay. Inlays and onlays are used on the molars and premolars, which are the teeth that have cusps on their chewing surfaces. They serve as conservative alternatives to dental fillings and crowns because they cover only the portion of the tooth that needs to be restored instead of the entire tooth.

An inlay fills in parts of a tooth’s chewing surface between the cusps. An onlay also fills in this area in addition to one or more cusps. Inlays and onlays function similarly—the only difference is the size of the area they restore. 

At Symphony Dental Studio, we use porcelain inlays and onlays. Porcelain is a naturally tooth-colored material. Porcelain inlays and onlays restore teeth discretely and improve your oral health without the appearance of metal crowns or fillings. 

Reasons for Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays can restore strength and appearance to a tooth for a number of reasons, similar to when crowns or fillings would be used. Tooth restoration may be necessary for issues such as: 

• Broken or fractured teeth
• Tooth decay
• Large or defective fillings
• Improve a tooth’s shape or size 

If you need a filling or crown for any of these reasons, you likely qualify for a porcelain inlay or onlay and can restore your tooth with a more aesthetically pleasing alternative. In some cases, onlays are a great solution for a tooth that does not have enough damage to warrant a full dental crown.

The Inlay and Onlay Process

Receiving a porcelain inlay or onlay typically requires two appointments. At your first appointment, we will take detailed impressions of your teeth to create your custom-made restoration. We will numb the area with a local anesthetic so you can relax comfortably while your dentist removes any tooth decay or previous fillings. 

We will clean and shape the surface of the tooth as necessary and place a temporary restoration to wear while your final inlay or onlay is being made. When your custom restoration is ready, you will return to our office for a second appointment. Your dentist will carefully insert and cement the inlay or onlay into place and make final adjustments to ensure a proper fit. Our team will provide you with instructions on how to care for your restoration and increase its longevity.

How Long Do Inlays and Onlays Last? 

Porcelain is a very strong material that can last for many years. With good oral hygiene, a porcelain inlay or onlay can last for 10–20 years or longer. When it’s time to replace your inlay or onlay, our team at Symphony Dental Studio can quickly do so in the comfort of our office to maintain your smile’s strength and beauty. 

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in San Francisco, CA

We proudly offer natural-looking porcelain inlays and onlays to restore beauty, strength, and health to your teeth. If you have one or more teeth that are damaged or decayed, or if you have a filling that needs to be replaced, contact our dental practice in San Francisco, CA, today to find out if porcelain inlays and onlays are the right restorative treatment for you.