Cosmetic · Conservative ceramic restoration
Restore damage within the cusps of a back tooth.
A porcelain inlay is a custom restoration that can repair more structure than a direct filling while preserving more of the tooth than a full crown.
An inlay fits into the prepared area of a tooth.
Inlays are considered when decay, fracture, or a failing filling affects a moderate portion of a tooth but the chewing cusps remain strong enough to preserve. The custom piece is made outside the mouth and bonded or cemented into the prepared space.
Porcelain can be selected to coordinate with the tooth color. Other materials may also be appropriate, and a direct filling, onlay, or crown may be recommended instead depending on the location and extent of damage.
Planning and fabrication
After the tooth is examined and numbed, decay and defective restorative material are removed. A digital scan or impression records the prepared tooth and bite. The inlay may be created through a dental laboratory workflow or, in selected cases, with chairside CAD/CAM technology.
The final restoration is checked for complete seating, contact with neighboring teeth, and a comfortable bite before it is bonded or cemented in place.
When another option may fit better
A direct filling may be sufficient for a smaller area. An onlay can protect one or more weakened cusps, while a crown may be needed when damage is more extensive or the tooth requires coverage around most of its visible structure.
The recommendation is based on how much healthy tooth remains and how force is distributed when you bite—not simply on the size of an old filling.
Three things to remember
The restoration sits within the tooth’s chewing cusps
It is custom-made rather than shaped entirely in the mouth
The surrounding tooth still requires daily care
Reviewed references
Clear sources for a more informed conversation.
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Porcelain Veneers Professional Teeth Whitening Composite Fillings CEREC Same-Day Restorations Porcelain OnlaysSchedule with Eastland
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