When a tooth has damage too extensive for a standard filling but doesn't require the full coverage of a crown, porcelain inlays and onlays provide the ideal conservative solution. At BB Dental Care, Dr. Bryanna Hubbard uses custom ceramic restorations to rebuild tooth structure while preserving maximum natural enamel.
Often referred to as "partial crowns," inlays and onlays are indirect restorations crafted outside the mouth from high-grade porcelain or composite resin. Once bonded into place, they reinforce the tooth's structural integrity and withstand heavy chewing forces for years.
Inlays vs. Onlays: What Is the Difference?
- Inlays: Fit snugly within the cusps (indented center grooves) of a back molar or premolar, similar to a filling but fabricated as a single solid ceramic piece for superior strength.
- Onlays: Cover one or more damaged cusps (outer points) of a tooth. Onlays protect weakened tooth walls without requiring the entire tooth to be reshaped for a crown.
Why Choose Ceramic Inlays and Onlays?
- Maximum Enamel Preservation: We remove only the damaged portion of the tooth, keeping healthy natural tooth walls intact.
- High Tensile Strength: Custom-bonded porcelain increases the structural strength of a compromised tooth by up to 75%.
- Seamless Aesthetics: Custom-shaded to match the natural color, texture, and light reflection of your surrounding teeth.
- Precision Fit: Digital impressions ensure tight margins that resist recurrent decay and staining.
The Treatment Process
- Tooth Preparation & Digital 3D Scan: Dr. Hubbard removes decay and captures a detailed digital impression without messy putty.
- Custom Lab Fabrication: Our dental lab mills your restoration from high-density dental porcelain for exceptional durability and beauty.
- Permanent Bonding: At your second visit, the inlay or onlay is checked for perfect fit and securely bonded to your tooth using advanced dental adhesive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because they are made from hard-wearing dental porcelain and securely bonded to healthy enamel, inlays and onlays often last 15 to 20+ years with proper oral hygiene.
An onlay allows us to save more of your natural tooth structure. A full crown requires shaving down all outer surfaces of the tooth, whereas an onlay only replaces the damaged section.
Not at all. High-grade porcelain mimics the exact color, translucency, and sheen of natural tooth enamel, making the restoration virtually invisible.
Care for them just like your natural teeth: brush twice daily with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, floss daily around the margins, and schedule regular dental checkups.