Porcelain Inlays in Salida, CO

At Relaxation Dental, we use high-quality custom-crafted porcelain inlays to restore decayed or damaged teeth with a seamless, natural look.

Porcelain inlays offer a stronger and longer-lasting alternative to traditional fillings, preserving your natural tooth structure while providing a perfect color match to your teeth.

What Is a Porcelain Inlay?

A porcelain inlay is a custom-made restoration that fits inside the grooves of a tooth, filling a cavity or repairing damage without covering the entire tooth.

Porcelain inlays are an excellent choice for:

• Moderate tooth decay that is too large for a traditional filling.
• Replacing old or worn-out fillings.
• Restoring cracked or damaged teeth while maintaining strength.
• Providing a more natural, stain-resistant alternative to composite fillings.

Unlike composite fillings, which are applied directly in the tooth, porcelain inlays are fabricated in a dental lab for a precise fit and then bonded to the tooth.

Benefits of Porcelain Inlays

• Stronger than fillings – Provides better durability for larger cavities.
• Aesthetically superior – Custom-matched to your natural tooth color.
• Minimally invasive – Requires less removal of healthy tooth structure than crowns.
• Long-lasting – More resistant to wear, staining, and chipping compared to composite fillings.
• Preserves tooth integrity – Bonds tightly to the tooth, strengthening its structure.

Porcelain inlays are a great choice for patients looking for a durable, natural-looking alternative to metal fillings.

The Porcelain Inlay Process

Getting a porcelain inlay typically requires two visits to ensure a precise fit:

First Visit: Tooth Preparation & Impression

• The tooth is cleaned and reshaped to remove any decay or damage.
• A digital or physical impression is taken to create a custom inlay.
• A temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth until the permanent inlay is ready.

Second Visit: Custom Inlay Placement

• The temporary filling is removed.
• The custom-made porcelain inlay is carefully fitted and bonded to the tooth.
• The inlay is polished to ensure a smooth, natural feel.

Once completed, the inlay blends seamlessly with your natural tooth, offering a strong, long-lasting restoration.

How Long Do Porcelain Inlays Last?

With proper care, porcelain inlays can last 10-15 years or longer, making them a more durable option compared to traditional fillings. To extend the lifespan of your inlay:

• Maintain regular brushing and flossing to prevent decay around the restoration.
• Avoid biting on hard foods, ice, or non-food objects.
• Schedule routine dental checkups to monitor your restoration.

If an inlay becomes loose or damaged, we can easily repair or replace it.

Porcelain Inlays vs. Fillings vs. Crowns

If you're unsure whether a filling, inlay, or crown is the best option, consider the following:

• Fillings are best for small cavities but may not be strong enough for larger areas of decay.
• Porcelain inlays are ideal for moderate damage, providing more durability than a filling while preserving more of the tooth than a crown.
• Dental crowns are recommended when a tooth is severely damaged or weakened, covering the entire tooth for protection.

If you're considering replacing old fillings or need a stronger restoration, we can help determine if an inlay is the best solution for your smile.