Cosmetic Dentistry in Lawrenceville and Atlanta

Composite Fillings and Inlays

There are basically only five ways to restore damaged teeth: fillings, bondings, inlays (or "onlays"), crowns, and veneers. See Porcelain Crowns and Bridges.

If you don't like the look of your old metal fillings, you can replace them with tooth-colored composite fillings, which are much stronger, safer and more aesthetically pleasing. These white composite fillings match the natural color of your teeth and form a strong bond to your tooth. A composite filling can actually strengthen your remaining tooth structure and prevent breakage and further damage. The preparation for an inlay (or "onlay") differs from that of a crown. After decay removal and conservative shaping, an impression is made of the remaining tooth, and our master ceramist creates a porcelain, resin, or gold counterpart that fits like a piece in a jig-saw puzzle. This restores the shape of the original tooth. The word inlay (or onlay) comes from the ability of this restoration to cover over damaged cusps of the teeth similar to a crown. It gets its retention from within the tooth, as opposed to externally covering the entire tooth. When indicated, this is preferred over a crown because more of the patient's natural tooth structure is preserved.

Biological Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry in Lawrenceville and Atlanta

Composite Fillings and Inlays