What is the difference between porcelain fillings and composite fillings?
Porcelain fillings also known as inlays and onlays, are laboratory processed and therefore require two visits to complete. They are extremely strong and durable and they seamlessly blend with the tooth. Composite fillings on the other hand are placed directly over a tooth and wont require a 2nd visit. They are the perfect filling material in a replacement of a small metal filling or small cavities. They are also less costly than porcelain inlays and onlays. However, since they are plastic mixture filled with small glass particles they cannot withstand heavy biting forces or in replacement of large metal fillings. They can chip or fracture in these situations. If this is the case the best filling material would be porcelain inlays and onlays since they have improved fracture toughness and are more capable of withstanding daily chewing forces. Click here to email Dr.
Porcelain fillings also known as inlays and onlays, are laboratory processed and therefore require two visits to complete. They are extremely strong and durable and they seamlessly blend with the tooth. Composite fillings on the other hand are placed directly over a tooth and won’t require a 2nd visit. They are the perfect filling material in a replacement of a small metal filling or small cavities. They are also less costly than porcelain inlays and onlays. However, since they are plastic mixture filled with small glass particles they cannot withstand heavy biting forces or in replacement of large metal fillings. They can chip or fracture in these situations. If this is the case the best filling material would be porcelain inlays and onlays since they have improved fracture toughness and are more capable of withstanding daily chewing forces.
