Porcelain Fillings Questions

San Diego, La Jolla and Poway

San Diego Cosmetic Dentistry - Porcelain Fillings FAQWhat can a filling do for me?

Fillings are used to fill a small cavity or hole in your tooth. All decay is removed first. The filling seals the hole and protects your tooth from sensitivity and further decay, as long as you maintain good dental hygiene.

Why should I use porcelain rather than silver fillings?

Silver fillings are not only unsightly, they can stain and even crack your teeth. They also contain mercury and may cause serious health problems.

Porcelain fillings look and feel like your natural tooth. Being permanently bonded to the tooth, they are in face part of that tooth, and can strengthen it and prolong its life.

What is an inlay?

Inlays are used to fill small cavities in a tooth. They are made from porcelain or resin, and are made to match the color of your tooth enamel.

What is an onlay?

Onlays are larger versions of inlays, also made of porcelain. They’re are a more substantial reconstruction, used for larger cavities. Where a crown may have been necessary in past years, an onlay can often be used to replace the damaged portion of the tooth, leaving much more of the original tooth structure intact than a crown would have.

An onlay extends over one or more of the tooth’s cusps, repairing part of the outer surface. Both inlays and onlays are made in a dental lab from a mold taken of your tooth, and therefore require a second visit to be fitted into your tooth and bonded to it.

Can I get my fillings in one office visit?

Both inlays and onlays are made in the lab, and will require a return visit. During that waiting interval, you can wear a temporary filling which will hold up quite well.

Smaller areas of decay can frequently be restored in one visit with bonded composite fillings.

I already have silver fillings. Can I get them replaced with porcelain?

Yes you can! Learn more by reading our Replace Amalgam Fillings page.

Will I have to give up coffee and tea to keep my porcelain filling from staining?

No. Porcelain is very resistant to staining, even if you drink coffee and tea, or smoke cigarettes.

The Coleman Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, serving San Diego, La Jolla, and Poway, brings together the most advanced technology and techniques available in cosmetic dentistry , neuromuscular dentistry and general dentistry for your dental care. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary cosmetic dentistry consultation.


 

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