Porcelain fillings (also called inlays and onlays) are custom-made restorations that fit into or over a damaged tooth like a puzzle piece. They’re crafted from high-strength porcelain that’s color-matched to your tooth, and they preserve more of your natural tooth structure than a traditional crown.

We often recommend porcelain inlays and onlays for patients with old silver (amalgam) fillings that are breaking down, or for teeth with larger cavities that would weaken with a standard composite filling.

When a porcelain filling makes sense:

• A tooth with a large old silver filling that’s cracking
• A cavity too large for a standard composite filling
• A cracked tooth that doesn’t need a full crown
• A back tooth that needs extra strength for chewing
• Replacement of a failing direct filling

Inlay vs. Onlay — what’s the difference?

• Inlay — Fits inside the cusps of the tooth (like a filling, but custom-made)
• Onlay — Covers one or more cusps of the tooth (like a partial crown)

What to expect:

1. Exam and digital x-rays
2. Preparation visit — remove decay or old filling, iTero scan
3. Temporary restoration while your inlay/onlay is crafted
4. Return visit — final porcelain piece bonded in and polished

Why choose porcelain over composite?

• Stronger — Porcelain is more durable under chewing pressure
• Longer-lasting — 15–30+ years with good care
• More conservative than a crown — Preserves more of your natural tooth
• Stain-resistant — Doesn’t discolor like composite fillings can
• Better margins — Custom-crafted fit seals out future decay