Porcelain Fillings Information
Porcelain Fillings, also known as Inlays and Onlays, restore a tooth to its natural size, shape and colour. They improve the strength, function and appearance of a broken down tooth that may otherwise be lost.
Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that cover back teeth. The difference between an inlay and an onlay is that an inlay covers a fairly small part of the biting surface of a back tooth while an onlay extends over the biting surface and on to other parts of the tooth. Both of these restorations are cemented into place and cannot be taken off.
The likely outcome of this procedure is the restoration of a near-healthy tooth in appearance, form and structure, which will require future maintenance including replacement of the restoration as it ages.
The Procedure
The filling procedure following diagnosis and acceptance to proceed involves: local anaesthetic numbing, drilling and cleaning, a scan or impression, a temporary restoration. At the second visit, local anaesthetic numbing, removal of the temporary restoration, particle abrasion, etching, bonding, placing the resin filling, light curing the filling and finally adjustment of the shape, bite and polishing for smoothness.
Following the procedure, the limitations of the porcelain filling may be that is has a good color match with adjacent natural teeth when first placed, but less of a match as your natural teeth age. A porcelain filling may chip or break if used for abnormal activities (e.g., biting fishing line, sewing thread or finger nails, opening bottles) and it may de-bond in heavier bite scenarios.
After the procedure, Check-ups are important to ensure the tooth health is monitored and that continued treatment is provided if necessary.
The Cost
We will give you an outline of the estimated cost of your Porcelain Filling. At the time of your First Stage of the Filling Appointment we may need to alter the design and size of the porcelain fillings, and until such time the estimate of the cost is an estimate only. Following your filling there may be other relevant costs dependent on the outcome such as future replacement, cost of further treatment including review, a root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth. These additional costs are all incurred by the patient.
Alternative Treatment
Alternatives to crowns are fillings, often made of composite resin or silver amalgam. These restorations remove decay and may restore teeth to their original form, but are limited because they do not improve the strength of the damaged tooth. They also do not decrease the risk of root decay or improve the long-term function of the bite. They also do not improve aesthetics.
Risks & Results
In having a crown, some inherent risks exist both to the tooth and to the crown itself.
The risks to the tooth are:
• Preparation for a crown weakens tooth structure and permanently alters the tooth underneath the crown
• Preparing for and placing a crown can irritate the tooth and cause “postoperative” sensitivity, which may last up to 3 months or longer and then need a Root Canal Treatment
• The tooth underneath the crown may need a root canal treatment about 5% of the time during the lifetime of the tooth
• If the cement seal at the edge of the crown is lost, decay may form at the juncture of the crown and tooth, this can be difficult to repair and replacement of the Crown is often required
As these costs are not a failure of the treatment, they are an additional cost to the patient.
The risks to the crown are:
• Porcelain may chip and metal may wear over time. Often this can be polished, but on occasions you will require a new Crown at your expense
• If the tooth needs a root canal treatment after the crown is permanently cemented, the procedure may fracture the crown and the crown may need to be replaced
• The crown falls off the tooth due to minimal remaining tooth structure to bond too. Often the ultimate result is requiring a new crown with improved design or possibly the removal of the tooth and replacement with treatment such as a Dental implant
Any invasive or surgical procedure has risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. No dental treatment is suitable for each and every patient. Dentists will only provide care which is suitable to the individual. Patients of Brisbane Smiles must complete examination and consultation appointments to deem suitability for procedures and full informed consent be given by the patient. Photos shown on this website are actual patients. Photos are for general purposes and individual results will vary.