What Is Porcelain Inlay in Teeth?

Porcelain inlays are a restorative or filling method used by general and cosmetic dentists to repair decaying, fractured or chipped teeth. That's why inlays are a great blend of function and aesthetic.

Features of Porcelain Inlays

• Inlays are custom-fitted to your tooth.

  Porcelain inlays look like tooth enamel and are tiny, custom-crafted fillings that dentists fit perfectly into damaged teeth. They are tooth-colored, discoloration resistant and extremely durable.

Benefits of Porcelain Inlays

• Inlays are wonderful blend of form and function.

  Inlays are an alternative to fillings or crowns, because they provide support to healthy tooth structures, prevent further decay and preserve the patient's tooth. While regular fillings may need to be replaced in 5 to 10 years, porcelain inlays can last up to 30 years.

Time Frame of Porcelain Inlays

• Inlays require a two-step appointment process.

  Porcelain inlays need two appointments. First, the dentist will clean the tooth, take an impression to send to a lab and fill the cleaned tooth with a temporary filling; the second appointment consists of removing temporary material and seating the porcelain inlay.

Function of Porcelain Inlays

• Inlays are customized to the patient's tooth.

  Less invasive than a full coverage crown, inlays are custom porcelain fillings. Patients with inlays have their bite adjusted and experience little to no affect on daily dental needs.

Cost of Porcelain Inlays

• The price of an inlay depends on a number of factors.

  The cost of porcelain inlays depend on where the damaged tooth is, the location, the dentist's skill level and the size of the inlay. Most dental insurance policies will cover 30 to 80 percent of the cost.