Porcelain Tooth Fillings

Porcelain tooth fillings are commonly used by dentists to fill cavities in teeth. The fillings are used to restore the structural integrity and function of a tooth that has been weakened by decay or external trauma. Porcelain is just one material from which tooth fillings are made. Other commonly used materials include silver, gold, alloys and, in the past, amalgam fillings. Porcelain tooth fillings are relatively popular because they are often tooth-colored and are more resistant than other materials to abrasion and staining.

Porcelain Inlays and Outlays

In order to restore a decayed tooth using a porcelain tooth filling, the dentist first cleans out the tooth and the cavity. Cleaning out the cavity may require oral sedation. If the tooth or surrounding tissue is infected, the infection is treated first. After the cavity is clean of infection and debris, an impression of it is made, and the impression is then sent to a lab where a porcelain filling in the shape of the cavity is made. Fillings that cover large cavities are called outlays, while those that address smaller cavities are called inlays. Once the filling is ready, the cavity is coated with an adhesive material and the porcelain filling is placed in the cavity, where it permanently bonds with the adhesive. The whole procedure requires at least two dental office visits and, sometimes, more.

Advantages of Porcelain

Porcelain tooth fillings are often considered a more desirable option than a metal filling for aesthetic reasons. Metal fillings, such as those made from gold, silver or alloys, can last for decades. However, they are visually unappealing, and are therefore used mainly for teeth at the back of the mouth. Porcelain inlays and outlays, on the other hand, are often indistinguishable from the rest of the tooth. Unlike metal fillings, porcelain tooth fillings cause less sensitivity to heat and cold. Importantly, porcelain tooth fillings are also often less expensive than metallic options, though, sometimes, fillings made of composite porcelain can be quite expensive.

Disadvantages of Porcelain

Despite its advantages, porcelain tooth fillings have their drawbacks as well. One of the biggest disadvantages with porcelain is that these fillings are brittle and can chip or crack relatively easy. Porcelain and ceramic tooth fillings are also a little harder to work with compared to some other materials. For instance, because porcelain is brittle, the filling itself needs to be of a large enough size so that it does not break easily. As a result, dentists often have to reduce the size of the tooth in order to accommodate a porcelain filling. If proper care is taken, porcelain tooth fillings can last for several years.

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