Rebuild Your Smile’s Function and Appearance with Porcelain Teeth Fillings
You may be familiar with composite fillings, popular for their tooth-colored resin material that blends naturally with your teeth. However, are porcelain fillings familiar to you? Because they consist of sturdy porcelain and fit precisely into a tooth’s cavity or damage, these are known as inlays or onlays. Covering a greater surface area, dental inlays and onlays are ideal for teeth needing more structural support than a conventional filling.
A Brush Above Family Dentistry offers indirect fillings in Chicago, Illinois, to repair tooth damage that is too pronounced for typical fillings. To understand what dental onlays/inlays can do for your smile, schedule an appointment with Drs. Marcella Guzman, Philip Fidel, and Rosa Sinno.
What are dental inlays and onlays?
Dental inlays or onlays aren’t something many dentists offer, so it’s okay if you aren’t familiar with them. A dental inlay/onlay addresses tooth damage that’s too significant for a filling but doesn’t warrant a dental crown. Rather than jump from a filling to a crown, dental inlays/onlays are a good in-between. They repair tooth damage without compromising the remaining tooth structure.
Although used interchangeably, dental inlays and onlays are different. An inlay repairs damage within the cusps (the raised parts) on the biting surface of a tooth. Dental onlays cover a larger area and extend over one or more of the tooth’s cusps. Often called “partial crowns” because they cover a portion of the tooth but don’t encase the entire tooth structure like a crown.
A variety of materials can be used to make indirect fillings. Our office uses porcelain because of its durability and close resemblance to natural teeth. Porcelain is also stain-resistant, helping you maintain your white smile despite your love for coffee and red wine.
What can I expect from the treatment?
Unlike traditional fillings, dental inlays/onlays are lab-made. If you have ever gotten a dental crown, the process for an indirect filling is similar—except for how the dentist prepares the tooth. After an initial consultation to determine your eligibility for an indirect filling, the dentist will gently remove the decayed/damaged portions of the tooth and reshape the tooth. The dentist prepares your tooth after numbing your gums with powerful anesthetics. You won’t feel any pain, but slight pressure as the dentist works on the tooth.
Next, the dentist will digitally scan your tooth to create a blueprint for our dental lab to custom-make your restoration to the exact specifications of your tooth. The doctor will place a temporary crown or filling on the prepped tooth as you wait for your permanent restoration. In the meantime, try not to bite or chew on that side of the mouth.
Your restoration will be ready after a few days. During your second visit, we’ll remove the temporary restoration and try your new inlay/onlay. If your restoration looks natural and fits comfortably, we’ll cement it, making your tooth completely whole again.
What are the benefits of indirect fillings?
Here are the advantages of dental inlays and onlays.
- A natural appearance and feel
- Better reinforcement than a conventional filling
- More conservative than a dental crown
- Lab-made for a precise fit
- Durable outcomes
- Easy maintenance
- Restores your tooth function to near-perfect
Do you need dental inlays/onlays?
Are you looking for a Chicago dentist who offers porcelain fillings? It’s time to visit A Brush Above Family Dentistry. We are one of the few leading dental offices in this area that offers this little-known service. Call (773) 840-0378 to reserve an appointment.
Dr. Marcella Guzman
Dr. Marcella Guzman is an admired dental professional renowned for her unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, with a rich background in biology and sociology. Since graduating from The University of Illinois Dental School in 1994, she has enhanced her skills through extensive continuing education, specializing in cutting-edge technologies such as Cerec 3-D, sleep apnea, Invisalign, and laser dentistry. Her dedication to staying up-to-date on the latest advancements ensures that her patients receive top-notch care. A distinguished member of The American Dental Association and Chicago Dental Society, Dr. Guzman's wealth of experience, coupled with her compassionate approach, establishes her as a trusted specialist in the field of dentistry.
Dr. Phillip Fidel
Philip Fidel, DDS, graduated from the University of California Davis in 1981 and attended Northwestern Dental School in Chicago. He has been providing exceptional dental care via private practice in Chicago ever since. Dr. Fidel believes learning is a never-ending process and has completed advanced training in CEREC 3-D technology, laser, and implant dentistry.
Dr. Rosa Sinno
Rosa Sinno, DDS, graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and received her dental degree from the University of Illinois Dental School in 2006. After five years of practicing in Chicago, she moved to New York City, where she continued to treat patients and ran a successful office in Midtown Manhattan. She also followed a year-long intensive training program at the renowned Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry. She has also completed training in Invisalign, CEREC 3-D technology, and laser dentistry. In 2017, Dr. Sinno moved back to her hometown of Chicago.
Dr. Irbad Chowdhury
Irbad Chowdhury, DMD, DABOI, AFAAID, FAGD, FICD, FICOI, received his dental degree and completed his residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry and Implant Fellowship at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine. He is board-certified in dental implants and is also an advanced dentistry expert. After completing his residency and private practice in Saint Louis, MO, Dr. Chowdhury moved to Chicago.
A former faculty and clinical professor at SIU School of Dental Medicine, he now serves as a clinical instructor/professor at Midwestern University Dental School.
Dr. Shoshana Center
Shoshana Center, DMD, is a highly skilled dentist dedicated to providing exceptional dental care focusing on patient comfort and education. Since graduating from Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine in 2022, she has specialized in Invisalign and CEREC 3-D technology for same-day crowns and onlays. Dr. Center is passionate about esthetic dentistry, including implant restoration, and is committed to staying at the forefront of dental advancements through continuous education. As a member of the American Dental Association and Illinois State Dental Society, she is trusted for her expertise and dedication to clinical excellence.
All these providers aim to deliver exceptional patient care focused on health, function, comfort, and aesthetic beauty. They take pride in listening to patients’ concerns and tailoring each visit to their individual needs. Full patient-oriented dental care backed by patient-empowered decisions is what they intend to deliver in providing patients with the ultimate dental experience.