Porcelain Fillings Questions

Las Vegas and surrounding areas

Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

What are porcelain fillings?

Porcelain fillings are also called porcelain inlays and onlays and they are used to restore a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or suffering from decay. Both are custom designed to match the shape and color of your existing tooth. They are made of strong, durable dental porcelain.

An inlay is crafted to the shape of the cavity in your tooth and is cemented into place. It is like a tooth colored filling and functions in much the same way.

An onlay is like a dental crown, but does not cover the entire tooth’s cusp. An onlay covers a large amount of the tooth’s cusp and is used to restore a larger area of a tooth than an inlay restores.

What are the advantages of porcelain inlays and onlays?

Porcelain inlays and onlays are colored to perfectly match your existing tooth so the restored area looks natural.
They are much more natural looking than traditional metal fillings.
They feel, look, and function like your natural teeth.
The dental porcelain used to make inlays and onlays are stain resistant.
The dental porcelain helps strengthen the decayed tooth once the inlays and onlays are bonded to the tooth.
They are very durable and strong and will last a lifetime.

How are porcelain inlays and onlays different from tooth colored fillings?

A tooth colored filling is made of a dental resin and is placed in the cavity. The resin is packed into the cavity and forms to the shape of the cavity. The resin is hardened with a special light. A tooth colored filling can be completed in one dental visit.

Porcelain inlays and onlays are made of hard dental porcelain that are custom manufactured from a mold taken of your tooth. They are inserted into your tooth and bonded in place. Inlays and onlays usually take two office visits and are usually used when restoring larger cavities.

How long does it take to get a porcelain inlay or onlay?

This cosmetic dentistry procedure takes two office visits. The first visit is used to prepare the tooth and make a custom mold of the tooth and cavity. The second visit is where the inlay or onlay is permanently bonded to your tooth. The mold is sent to a laboratory that makes the porcelain restoration for Las Vegas Cosmetic Dentists Dr. Bloch and Dr. Tomaro.

Who do I contact for porcelain inlays and onlays?

If you are interested in porcelain fillings or porcelain inlays and onlays, you can call (702) 240-8600 or email our Las Vegas, Nevada dental office to schedule a consultation about your cosmetic dentistry needs.