Restorative Dentistry
Porcelain Inlays & Onlays
When a filling is too little and a crown is too much.
25,000+ patients served across our 3 offices
The Anthem approach
Not every damaged tooth falls neatly into 'filling' or 'crown'. When decay or a fracture has taken more than a filling can safely rebuild, but the tooth is still fundamentally sound, cutting it down for a full crown removes healthy structure that didn't need to go.
Inlays and onlays fill that gap. Each one is a single piece of custom porcelain, made to fit the exact shape of the prepared area and bonded into place — an inlay sits within the cusps of the tooth, an onlay extends over one or more of them. Both restore full chewing strength while keeping as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Because they're crafted in a dental laboratory to match your bite and shade precisely, they take two visits: one to prepare the tooth and take digital impressions, and a second to fit and bond the finished restoration. A well-made onlay is conservative, extremely durable, and effectively invisible.
- Preserves more natural tooth than a crown
- Custom-shaded porcelain that disappears against enamel
- Restores full chewing strength
- Bonded for a precise, sealed fit
Good to know
OfficeAvailable at all 3 offices
InsuranceIn-network with the major PPOs. Medi-Cal Dental & IEHP also accepted. Details
FinancingCareCredit & Sunbit — payments that fit your budget
New patients$125 exam & X-rays without insurance
What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
Assessment of how much healthy tooth remains
Conservative preparation and digital impressions
A comfortable temporary while the lab crafts your restoration
Precise fitting, bonding, and bite adjustment
FAQ
Porcelain Inlays & Onlays — your questions, answered.
What's the difference between an inlay and an onlay?
An inlay sits inside the cusps — the raised points — of the tooth. An onlay extends over one or more of those cusps. Which one you need depends simply on where the damage is.
Why not just get a crown?
A crown covers the entire tooth, which means reducing healthy structure all the way around. If enough sound tooth remains, an inlay or onlay restores the same strength while keeping that structure — and preserved natural tooth is always the better long-term position.
How long do porcelain inlays and onlays last?
With good hygiene and routine checkups they commonly last well over a decade, and often considerably longer. Porcelain resists staining and wears at a rate close to natural enamel.
How many visits does it take?
Two. The first prepares the tooth and captures digital impressions, and you leave with a temporary. The second fits and bonds the finished porcelain restoration once it returns from the laboratory.
Will it match my other teeth?
Yes — the porcelain is custom-shaded to your surrounding teeth, and because it's bonded rather than cemented over the whole tooth, the margins stay discreet.
Does insurance cover inlays and onlays?
Most plans cover them similarly to other major restorative work, though the specifics vary. We'll verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment begins.
New to Anthem Dental?
What to expect before you book
If you have not been to one of our offices before, what happens at a first visit walks through the whole appointment step by step — what we look at, what it costs, and what we will never do without telling you first. Walk-ins are welcome at every office, though calling ahead means less waiting.
Porcelain Inlays & Onlays is performed in-house, so nothing here is referred out to a stranger across town. Meet the team who would be treating you, and read how the practice works if you want the fuller picture. We are in-network with the major PPO plans and also accept Medi-Cal Dental (Denti-Cal) and IEHP — see the full list and what it means for your bill.
Choose whichever office is easiest for you: all 3 are here, each with its own hours, parking and directions.
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Ask us about porcelain inlays & onlays — no pressure, ever.
Comprehensive exam and full digital X-rays for new patients without insurance. New patients only. Dental emergencies welcome — we do our best to see you quickly.