Are Porcelain Inlays & Onlays Painful?

Dr. Weiselberg will ensure you are totally numb before your appointments so there is no discomfort. You might feel a slight pressure on your teeth, but there is no pain. After an inlay or onlay, there may be minor soreness in the gums or teeth, which resolves within a day or so. You can take over-the-counter medications to help reduce any unpleasant sensations.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The process of placing an inlay or onlay typically requires two appointments in addition to your consultation.

How Long Will My Inlay or Onlay Last?

With proper care, dental inlays and onlays can last for decades.

What Are the Risks Associated with Porcelain Inlays & Onlays?

Risks of inlays and onlays include: Inlay and onlay tooth preparation can weaken the tooth structure and make permanent changes to the tooth underneath the restoration. Placing inlays and onlays can temporarily cause gum and tooth sensitivity. The tooth underneath the restoration might end up needing a root canal down the line. If the inlay/onlay cement seal weakens, a cavity may form where the restoration meets the tooth. The porcelain may chip.

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays

Fort Lee, NJ

Introduction to Porcelain Inlays & Onlays

When a dental crown provides too much coverage and a filing doesn’t provide enough, inlays and onlays may be the ideal solution for repairing a damaged tooth. These treatments restore the appearance and health of your smile, protecting against decay and disease while ensuring you are able to chew and speak properly. Dr. Ali Weiselberg at North Jersey Dental Group in Fort Lee provides comprehensive, precision-oriental care for patients of all ages who desire optimal oral hygiene.

man smiling and touching his face while looking in the mirror - Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in Fort Lee, NJ

What Are Porcelain Inlays & Onlays?

While a dental inlay addresses the crevices and gaps between the teeth’ cusps, an onlay covers a bigger portion of the tooth’s surface while filling the cavity and cusps. The choice between a porcelain inlay and onlay depends on the extent of your tooth damage.

Porcelain Inlays – A porcelain inlay is a customized restoration filling designed with composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. After it is engineered in a professional dental laboratory, your dentist permanently cements the inlay into the tooth. Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth with large defective fillings or damaged by decay or trauma. They are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays. As with most dental restorations, inlays do not always last forever and may someday require replacement. However, they are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful, long-lasting smile.

Porcelain Onlays – An onlay, sometimes called a partial crown, is a customized restoration also made of composite filling, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain onlays are the most natural choice for many patients because they blend seamlessly with the smile. A professional dental laboratory crafts onlays that are permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist. They can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth with large defective fillings or damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed during their preparation. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays, except that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration.

Reasons for inlay and onlay restorations:

Broken or fractured teeth
Cosmetic enhancement
Decayed teeth
Fractured fillings
Large fillings

What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Inlays & Onlays?

Inlays and onlays are chosen for their versatility, effectiveness, and cosmetic benefits. After completing your detailed private consultation and smile evaluation, Dr. Weiselberg will choose the best type of restoration for your unique needs. Benefits of inlays and onlays include the following:

Preserve the Healthy Part of the Tooth – Inlays and onlays are custom-fitted to address the damaged portion of the tooth while perfectly preserving the healthy areas.
Strength, Durability, and Longevity – Inlays and onlays are engineered with robust, high-quality materials like porcelain or gold, giving them a strength advantage over conventional fillings. Thus, they tend to last longer and are less prone to cracks and breakage.
Aesthetically Pleasing Appearance – Inlays and onlays are color-customized to match the shade of your smile. This provides a more natural-looking restoration outcome that can boost self-confidence.
Easy to Maintain – Inlays and onlays are easy to maintain and only require daily brushing, flossing, and routine check-ups. While traditional fillings wear down over time, inlays and onlays are more durable and function flawlessly for years.
Reduced Sensitivity – Inlays and onlays are not known to cause sensitivity or discomfort since they are customized and adapted to the patient’s unique tooth structure. Additionally, they provide a protective barrier against extreme heat and cold, which can lead to undue sensitivity and discomfort.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Porcelain Inlays & Onlays?

An inlay or onlay is typically chosen as a restoration when a tooth is too compromised to be fixed with a filling, but a good portion of healthy tooth structure remains, making a crown unnecessary. The extent of your tooth damage will determine whether a porcelain inlay or onlay is more appropriate for restoring your smile. Patients receiving inlays or onlays must commit to practicing optimal oral hygiene habits, brushing and flossing every day, and attending all scheduled check-ups and cleaning appointments.

Inlays and onlays are not appropriate for patients with large cavities. In these cases, a dental crown will fit over the whole tooth, providing strength and protection against further damage.

A woman with red hair wearing a sleeveless black top, smiling and leaning against a white wall - Porcelain Inlays and Onlays in Fort Lee, NJ

Let’s Get Started

What’s the
first step?

The first step is to meet with Dr. Weiselberg for a detailed consultation. During this consultation, she will take X-rays, investigate your tooth damage, and make her best recommendations for the right kind of restoration. Dr. Weiselberg is a knowledgeable and experienced resource when it comes to complex dental procedures, and she always strives to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible to maximize your long-term oral well-being.

What to Expect on the Day of a Porcelain Inlay or Onlay Treatment

Porcelain Inlay Procedure – An inlay procedure usually requires two appointments. During your first session, your dentist will take several highly accurate impressions (molds) or digital scans that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration. While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to fit an inlay restoration properly. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while a dental laboratory makes your inlay.

Your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented at your second appointment. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable. At the conclusion of your treatment, you will receive care instructions. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will help extend the life of your new inlay.

Porcelain Onlay Procedure – Just like inlays, onlays typically require two dental appointments with Dr. Weiselberg. Your first appointment will entail obtaining several highly accurate impressions (molds) or digital scans that will be used to craft your custom onlay and temporary restoration. While the tooth is numb, Dr. Weiselberg will remove any existing decay and/or old filling materials. The space will be carefully cleaned and prepared, and the tooth surface will be reshaped to fit perfectly with the onlay. Dr. Weiselberg then places a temporary filling to protect your tooth while you are waiting for the lab to make your porcelain onlay.

Dr. Weiselberg will carefully cement your new porcelain onlay into place during your second appointment. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure your bite is comfortable. Once your treatment is complete, you will receive detailed aftercare instructions. Practicing good oral hygiene, adhering to a proper diet, and attending all of your regular dental visits will help extend the longevity of your new porcelain onlay.

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays Recovery

Recovery after the placement of a porcelain inlay or onlay is straightforward and stress-free. Mild sensitivity or discomfort in the treated teeth are common side effects, especially if your bite needs to be adjusted during your session. You can take over-the-counter pain medications to offset any lingering soreness. Most patients can immediately resume their normal activities after their procedure. However, you will be asked to temporarily avoid sticky or hard foods, giving the inlay or onlay time to settle in.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

How Much Do Porcelain Inlays & Onlays Cost in North New Jersey?

The cost of porcelain inlays and onlays in Fort Lee and the Northern New Jersey area is typically around $250-$1500, depending on the placement of your restorations and the materials utilized. Dr. Weiselberg will provide a more customized quote for services during your private consultation.

Why Choose North Jersey Dental Group?

Dr. Ali N. Weiselberg, D.D.S., F.I.C.O.I, created the Fort Lee-based North Jersey Dental Group, P.A., in order to provide personalized, comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. She has been licensed to practice in both New Jersey and New York since 2006, serving on the Board of Directors of New York University’s College of Dentistry’s Alumni Association since September 2009. In 2011, Dr. Weiselberg was nominated as one of the Best 50 Women In Business in New Jersey by NJBIZ and named a Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women in 2009 and 2010. She is a Lifetime Member of the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs and retains active membership in the American Dental Association (ADA), the North Jersey Dental Association (NJDA), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays FAQ’S

Dr. Weiselberg will ensure you are totally numb before your appointments so there is no discomfort. You might feel a slight pressure on your teeth, but there is no pain. After an inlay or onlay, there may be minor soreness in the gums or teeth, which resolves within a day or so. You can take over-the-counter medications to help reduce any unpleasant sensations.
Risks of inlays and onlays include:
- Inlay and onlay tooth preparation can weaken the tooth structure and make permanent changes to the tooth underneath the restoration.
- Placing inlays and onlays can temporarily cause gum and tooth sensitivity.
- The tooth underneath the restoration might end up needing a root canal down the line.
- If the inlay/onlay cement seal weakens, a cavity may form where the restoration meets the tooth.
- The porcelain may chip.

Schedule your
consultation

If your tooth damage is too extensive for a filling but not considerable enough to warrant a dental crown, a porcelain inlay or onlay may be the perfect solution for restoring a beautiful, attractive smile. Contact Dr. Weiselberg at the North Jersey Dental Group in Fort Lee today by calling 201-461-4800 or filling out our online contact form.