Dental Inlays & Onlays in Financial District San Francisco, CA
If you have moderate tooth decay or damage but don’t need a full crown, inlays and onlays provide a strong solution. At Digital Dental Practice, we use high-quality porcelain, composite resin, or gold to restore your tooth to desired strength, function, and aesthetics.
Inlays and onlays are custom-made restorations that repair teeth with too much damage for a filling but not enough to require a crown. They fit precisely onto the tooth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure while offering excellent durability.
Inlays restore the inside of a tooth, fitting within the grooves without covering the cusps. In contract, onlays extend over one or more cusps, covering a larger portion of the tooth.
Both options are stronger and longer-lasting than traditional fillings and blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. The fabrication process for both is very similar to that of the crown; they require at least 2 appointments, sometimes more and both are lab-fabricated.
How to Care for Inlays & Onlays
- Brush & floss daily to maintain oral health.
- Avoid chewing hard objects (ice, pens) to prevent damage.
- Regular dental checkups ensure longevity and proper fit.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
If you need a strong, conservative restoration for a damaged tooth, inlays and onlays may be the perfect solution. Contact us at Digital Dental Practice to learn more!
Medical Condition
Damaged or Decayed Teeth
Structural compromise of the natural tooth, including advanced dental caries (ICD-10 K02) or traumatic fractures (ICD-10 K08.11), that exceeds the limitations of direct composite restorations but remains insufficient to warrant full-coverage crown therapy. These conditions require high-precision, indirect restorative intervention to prevent further mechanical failure and ensure long-term occlusal stability.
Medical Procedure
Biomimetic Inlay/Onlay Restoration
A precise, indirect restorative procedure used to repair teeth with moderate structural loss. Dr. Tabar custom-fabricates porcelain inlays or onlays to fit the exact contours of your prepared tooth. Unlike traditional fillings, these restorations are bonded to the tooth surface, which reinforces its biomechanical strength, mimics the appearance of natural enamel, and preserves more of your healthy tooth structure.
Medical Device
High-Definition Intraoral Scanner
Precision clinical instrumentation used at our Financial District office to map the exact dimensions of your damaged tooth structure. This essential diagnostic approach allows Dr. Tabar to create custom porcelain inlays and onlays that offer a perfect fit, ensuring the restoration provides long-term protection, durability, and seamless integration with your natural enamel.
Practice Information
Digital Dental Practice San Francisco
Dr. Maryam Tabar is a biomimetic and restorative specialist based in San Francisco’s Financial District (94104). At our 100 Montgomery St office, she focuses on high-precision porcelain inlays and onlays, providing Downtown professionals with durable, conservative restorative solutions that preserve natural tooth structure and restore biomechanical integrity.
Lead Practitioner
Dr. Maryam Tabar DDS
Lead Dentist 94104 & Financial District
Clinical FAQs
What are porcelain inlays and onlays and how do they repair damaged teeth?
Porcelain inlays and onlays are custom-fabricated laboratory restorations. An inlay fits within the center of a damaged tooth, while an onlay (partial crown) covers one or more biting cusps. They are used in our 94104 clinic to repair structural damage too large for a filling but small enough to avoid a full crown.
Why choose biomimetic restorations at Digital Dental Practice SF?
Dr. Tabar prioritizes biomimetic dentistry at our 100 Montgomery St office, which focuses on preserving natural healthy enamel. Custom onlays are more conservative than crowns, allowing us to save more of your original tooth structure.
How often should I get a dental checkup in San Francisco?
Most patients at Digital Dental Practice San Francisco need a checkup every 3-4 months if they have inflammation, gum disease, or bone loss. Only patients with perfect hygiene and no restorations may wait 6 months.
What is AI cavity detection technology?
It is the clinical use of AI algorithms to analyze digital X-rays, flagging potential decay at the earliest stages for more accurate and conservative treatment.
How long do porcelain partial crowns last?
With regular professional maintenance in our Financial District clinic, high-quality porcelain onlays can last 10 to 15 years or longer, providing superior durability compared to standard fillings.