Inlays and Onlays in San Francisco
Anchor Dental (West Portal)

At Anchor Dental in West Portal, San Francisco, we offer inlays and onlays to restore teeth that are too damaged for a filling but don’t require a full crown. These custom restorations are made from porcelain, composite, or ceramic materials that bond seamlessly to your natural enamel, reinforcing the tooth’s structure while maintaining its natural appearance.

Durable, conservative restorations for damaged teeth

Inlays and onlays are a conservative, long-lasting solution that helps protect and strengthen your teeth while blending beautifully with your smile.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays are custom restorations made from porcelain, composite resin, or zirconia that fit precisely into or onto a damaged tooth.

• Inlays fill the space inside the tooth’s cusps (the bumps on top).
• Onlays extend over one or more cusps to repair larger areas.

You can think of them as “mini-crowns.” They rebuild strength and seal out bacteria while preserving more of your natural tooth.

When do you need one?

At Anchor Dental, we recommend inlays or onlays when:

• A cavity or fracture is too large for a regular filling
• The tooth is still strong enough that a full crown isn’t necessary
• You have an old, leaking filling that weakens the tooth
• You want a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for back teeth
• You grind or clench and need extra reinforcement

In San Francisco, we often see this with patients who sip coffee all day or grind their teeth during stressful work hours  the combination wears enamel faster than expected.

One engineer from the Inner Sunset told us he kept getting new fillings in the same tooth every few years. After replacing it with a porcelain onlay, he said, “It’s the first time I stopped worrying about that tooth.”

Materials we use

At Anchor Dental, most patients choose porcelain or zirconia for their mix of strength and appearance.

The inlay / onlay process at Anchor Dental

1. Consultation & digital scan

We start with a full exam and digital X-rays to confirm that the tooth structure is healthy enough to support an inlay or onlay.

2. Tooth preparation

We remove the damaged or decayed area and shape the surface precisely. Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable throughout.

3. Digital impression

Using an intraoral scanner, we capture a 3-D image of your tooth  no gooey molds. The file goes straight to our Bay Area partner lab for fabrication.

4. Temporary restoration

A smooth temporary is placed so you can eat and smile normally while your permanent piece is made.

5. Placement & bonding

At your next visit, the inlay or onlay is tried in for fit and color, then permanently bonded with a strong dental adhesive. After polishing, it feels just like your original enamel.

What it feels like afterward

Most patients are surprised at how natural their bite feels right away. The restoration sits flush with your enamel, so food doesn’t catch and your tongue doesn’t even notice a difference. Mild sensitivity to temperature can happen for a few days, but it fades quickly.

Benefits of inlays & onlays

• Preserve natural tooth structure – less drilling than a crown.
• Durable & long-lasting – can last 10–20 years with good care.
• Natural appearance – color-matched to your enamel.
• Tight seal – protects against future decay or leakage.
• Smooth finish – feels natural to your tongue and gums.

They’re the perfect middle ground between cosmetic and functional dentistry — conservative but strong.

Caring for your restoration

Maintenance is simple:

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Floss gently around the edges (they’re sealed, but gum health matters).
• Avoid chewing very hard objects like ice or pens.
• Schedule checkups every six months so we can polish and inspect the margins.

If you grind at night, we may recommend a night guard to prevent stress fractures on your new restoration.

Common questions

How long does the procedure take?
Usually two visits, one for preparation and one for placement.

Will my inlay or onlay be noticeable?
No. We color-match the material to your existing enamel. It disappears completely when bonded.

Is it painful?
Not at all — we numb the area gently, and most patients say it feels easier than getting a regular filling.

How much does it cost?
Costs vary by material and size, but insurance often covers a portion when it’s needed to restore function. We’ll provide a detailed estimate before treatment.

Why choose Anchor Dental for inlays & onlays

• Conservative philosophy – we save healthy enamel whenever possible.
• Advanced scanning technology for precision fits and no messy impressions.
• High-quality Bay Area labs that craft restorations to exact shade and contour.
• Dr. Esra Salihoglu Yener, DDS, PhD brings years of restorative experience blending aesthetics with strength.
• Convenient West Portal location serving patients from Inner Sunset, Noe Valley, and Daly City.

Our approach is simple: treat the tooth you have, protect what’s left, and make the repair look invisible.

Ready to repair your tooth conservatively?

If you have a cracked or worn filling, don’t wait until it breaks further. An inlay or onlay might be the perfect way to restore your tooth without a full crown.