A Guide to Preserving Your Teeth with Porcelain Teeth Fillings
If you have ever had a cavity, you know the importance of treating it as soon as practical. Cavities are not only painful but can cause tooth loss if not treated. Composite fillings are ideal for small cavities, but some damage may be too pronounced for a dental filling yet too small for a dental crown. For these in-between cases, porcelain fillings (inlays or onlays) from A Brush Above Family Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois, may be the most effective and affordable option. You can think of ceramic fillings as smaller-sized dental crowns used to restore a tooth with most of its structure intact.
The difference between inlays and onlays
A porcelain dental filling can either be an inlay or onlay. We use an inlay when the decay or damage of the tooth is limited to the center of the tooth, typically within the cusps. However, if the damage covers a large portion of the tooth’s biting surface and extends beyond the cusps, an onlay will be the most preferred restoration.
The procedure for porcelain dental fillings
Unlike composite fillings placed on the spot, inlays and onlays are lab-made, meaning you must wait a few days for your restoration to be ready. During your first visit, we examine your tooth to ensure whether a porcelain filling is the most viable restoration. If yes, we drill out and clean the decayed part and then take an impression of your tooth to help the dental lab to craft your filling. Before you leave, we’ll place a temporary filling to protect your prepared tooth.
When your filling is ready, we’ll call you for installation. After checking the fit of your restoration, we use dental cement to bond it to your tooth. Porcelain fillings can last up to 15 years, making them a long-term investment in your health and smile.
Advantages of porcelain fillings
Composite fillings are the go-to procedure for cavities, but they can only do so much for extensive tooth damage. In such cases, porcelain fillings offer an excellent choice to restore your tooth.
Indirect or ceramic fillings offer numerous benefits, including:
- Stain-resistant: Unlike composite restorations, porcelain doesn’t discolor over time. This is great news for patients who love coffee, wine, or tea
- Natural-looking: Compared to other fillings, ceramic fillings are the most natural-looking restorations. They can be matched exactly to the color and shape of the adjacent teeth for seamless results
- Biocompatibility: Patients with metal allergies are ideal candidates for metal-free porcelain fillings. Even better, porcelain fillings have no known safety concerns, unlike amalgam fillings that contain mercury
- Strength: Porcelain fillings are resilient enough to prevent cracks and chips, protecting the tooth underneath from further damage
If your dental damage is too extensive for a traditional filling but too small for a crown, consider porcelain fillings from A Brush Above Family Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Marcella Guzman and the team have the training and experience to create beautiful, tooth-like ceramic restorations for a healthy, beautiful smile. Please call (773) 840-0378 to schedule your consultation today.