Porcelain Inlays and Onlays

Porcelain

When a tooth has been moderately to extensively destroyed by decay, previous drilling, or fracture but there is still sufficient enamel remaining, one innovative way it can be restored is with a porcelain inlay or onlay. An inlay is a restoration in which a portion of occlusal (biting) surface is replaced with porcelain. An onlay will restore a larger portion of the biting surface of the tooth. These are considered very conservative restorations. The porcelain allows an excellent esthetic result. It is attached to the tooth using a bonding procedure, allowing it to become very strong. It can be used with wonderful results in small, medium, and even with large restorations lasting more than 12 years, relatively trouble free.

A dental laboratory is involved in the construction of the restoration. There is a 2- to 3-week delay while the inlay or onlay is being made, so the tooth must have a temporary restoration in place during that time.

They have some disadvantages. They are moderately to very expensive to make and place. They take two appointments to complete. They must be adjusted and polished well or they can cause wear of the opposing enamel, similar to a porcelain fused to metal crown. Of course, we make sure they are adjusted and polished to begin with. Porcelain biting surfaces cause more rapid wear of opposing natural teeth, especially in the posterior areas where a metal biting surface may be advised.

Advantages include the excellent esthetics, high strength, predicted longevity, and conservative preparation, 

that is, less drilling than a crown. If the porcelain does chip, it can be repaired. However, you should not chew ice cubes, “jaw breakers”, or any other hard candy with these or any other type of restoration.

For those who want the strongest, longest-lasting, conservative restoration that very closely matches a tooth, porcelain is possibly the best choice. Once it is finished, the tooth, if cared for properly, should not have to be restored again for years. It does allow the conservation of most of the natural tooth.

Resin

Resin inlays and onlays are used in the same areas as the porcelain inlays and onlays. They are very natural in appearance and, like porcelain, are bonded into place. They are considered an extremely conservative restoration. Two appointments, approximately 2 weeks apart, are required to fabricate the inlay/onlay. The tooth will be protected with a temporary filling while the final restoration is being made. The wear of the resin is similar to that of enamel. So unlike porcelain, it will not have a tendency to wear the opposing natural tooth structure.

The resin may be considered slightly “weaker” than the porcelain. However, porcelain is more brittle and more difficult to repair. The difference in strengths is not significant. The resin is more forgiving and is more easily finished or repaired and resin is easier to work on.

With both types of materials, porcelain or resin, you can develop decay on unrestored surfaces, so excellent oral self-care is required. Neither material is advised for patients who have a bruxing (grinding) or clenching habit unless a protective mouthguard is constructed for you.

Unless you have a preference, we will select the most appropriate material for your dental needs. Cost of each is comparable. Both types are excellent choices and are considered highly conservative in the amount of drilling needed.

If you have any questions about porcelain or resin inlays and onlays, please feel free to ask us at any of our office locations:

Hymeadow: (512) 250-5012

Jollyville: (512) 346-8424

West William Cannon: (512) 445-5721

Porcelain and Resin Veneers

When people speak of “bonding” their teeth to make them look better, they are usually referring to either porcelain or resin veneers. Veneers cover only the outside portion of the tooth, the part that shows when you smile or talk. In fact, all tooth-colored dental restorative materials are bonded, whether the restoration is in a front tooth or a back tooth. Strictly speaking, in dentistry, bonding refers only to adhesive joining of two dissimilar materials. Silver fillings can be bonded, as can crowns (caps).

Porcelain and resin veneers are placed in order to correct slight or severe defects in tooth alignment, shape, or color. They are also placed when teeth have been moderately restored and the teeth have been weakened. This is done when there is still enough enamel left for the bonding to be successful. If the teeth are in very poor alignment or there is insufficient enamel remaining, bonding to improve the appearance is not possible. At that point orthodontics or full-coverage crowns must be considered. The most common use for bonding veneers, either porcelain or resin, is to improve the cosmetic appearance of the patient.

Without question, porcelain veneers look the best and last the longest. They are indicated when the teeth are in fair to good alignment or when a more pleasing tooth color is desired. They are not usually placed in a patient under 16 years of age. The procedure usually requires some slight to moderate tooth preparation (drilling). Local anesthesia is usually necessary. The procedure requires two separate appointments, approximately 10 days apart to complete. This is because the veneers are constructed in an offsite laboratory. Once bonded into place, the porcelain veneers become very strong. The success rate is high, and they can last up to 12 or more years. Anything that will break your natural teeth can break the porcelain veneers, for example, hard candy or frozen candy bars. Veneers are highly stain resistant. They are a good treatment choice when all the front teeth are being restored. They are more expensive than resin veneers, but they last longer and look better than resin. Porcelain biting surfaces can cause more rapid wear of opposing natural teeth.

Resin veneers are also available. They are placed by the dentist in one office visit. Resin veneers are used in similar situations to porcelain veneers. However, they last only half as long before requiring repair or replacement. They are advised for patients who are still growing. They look very good but are not as good as porcelain. While repairs to the resin veneers are not too difficult, they have a tendency to chip more than porcelain veneers.

Basically, porcelain looks better, lasts longer, is stronger, more expensive, and requires two dental appointments to complete. Resin veneers are less expensive, easier to repair, and better for children, or if there are financial considerations.

It is very important to come in for regular recare appointments for cleaning and examination if either type of veneer is placed. This way, we will be better able to quickly correct any problems that develop. A 3- to 4-month interval between appointments is customary.