Inlay-Onlay Porcelain Fillings
If there is significant material loss in a tooth, a dental filling becomes inevitable. These are generally applied to the posterior molars. Dental fillings are both aesthetic and resistant to chewing pressures, making them a reliable long-term treatment method. The main principle in filling procedures is to prepare a proper cavity and try to restore the tooth’s natural shape as it was before the decay. The type of filling used depends on the tooth’s position and function.
Molars, which perform most of the chewing function, are exposed to greater pressure and therefore require more durable materials than front teeth. In the past, the most commonly used filling material was silver amalgam, which was typically used on posterior teeth. These fillings are actually composed of mercury, silver, and other metal alloys. However, due to their appearance, they are not considered aesthetic.
In cases of material loss in the front teeth, fillings may also be required. Porcelain fillings are a filling method developed to preserve healthy tooth tissue in situations where there is extensive loss and a full crown would otherwise be necessary. Due to their superior aesthetics and usability, they are preferred over amalgam fillings.
In the first session, impressions of the cavity—prepared without any unnecessary reduction of healthy tissue, except for the decayed parts—are sent to the laboratory. There, a porcelain filling tailored specifically to the patient’s tooth is fabricated to restore the missing structure. In the second session, the filling is bonded to the patient’s tooth.
These porcelain fillings, which have the same hardness as natural teeth, prevent fractures caused by biting forces and help the tooth regain its former health.
Since they are tooth-colored, the filling is virtually indistinguishable from the natural tooth to the naked eye.
