When you’re dealing with a damaged or decayed tooth, your dentist may bring up inlays or onlays as an alternative to traditional fillings. They’re a reliable middle ground between a small filling and a full crown. But once you’re in that conversation, another question usually comes up: which material should you pick?
Porcelain, composite, and gold each behave differently in your mouth, and each comes with its own set of strengths. The “right” choice depends on your priorities, how you use your teeth, and what you want long-term. This guide breaks everything down in a simple, practical way so you can choose without feeling like you’re trying to decode dental jargon.
Let’s walk through each material, how it performs, and what you should think about before making a decision.
Start with the Basics
An inlay fits into the grooves of your tooth when the damage is mostly inside the chewing surface. An onlay covers more of the tooth, including at least one cusp. Both are custom-made, bonded restorations. So your choice of material affects durability, appearance, cost, and comfort.
Once you know what each material does best, the decision gets much easier.
Porcelain: Strong, Natural-Looking, and Popular
Porcelain is often the go-to choice because it strikes a balance between looks and strength. If you want something that blends seamlessly with your tooth, porcelain usually delivers the best match.
Porcelain works especially well for:
- People who want a natural appearance
- Medium to large restorations
- Teeth that show when you smile
- Patients who want a long-lasting option without choosing metal
Porcelain is tough, resists staining, and holds up well under normal chewing. It’s not quite as flexible as gold, so it can chip if you have heavy grinding habits. Still, for most patients, it’s a dependable and attractive choice.
Why porcelain might be right for you:
- It looks almost identical to natural enamel
- It’s durable and long-lasting
- It doesn’t discolor like composite
- It’s a good fit for back and front teeth
If matching your smile matters, porcelain usually ends up being the easy winner.
Composite: Affordable and Repairable, but Less Durable
The material used for tooth-colored fillings is the same type used for composite resin. Like porcelain, composite inlays and onlays are also custom-made. However, the material is not that strong and somewhat less durable over time.
Composite works best when:
- You need a more budget-friendly option
- The restoration is small to medium in size
- You prefer a material that can be repaired instead of replaced
- You want something tooth-colored but don’t need premium aesthetics
Why composite might be right for you:
- It usually costs less than porcelain or gold
- Repairs are easier and less invasive
- It still looks natural, even if not as lifelike as porcelain
- It’s a good short-to-medium-term solution
Composite is often chosen when someone wants something aesthetic but affordable.
Gold: The Most Durable Option, but Not the Most Subtle
Gold restorations have been around for a very long time for good reason. Gold is incredibly strong, resists cracks and wear, and fits the tooth extremely well. If longevity is your top priority, gold is unmatched.
Gold works especially well for:
- People who want the longest-lasting restoration possible
- Patients who grind or clench their teeth
- Molars that do heavy chewing
- Anyone who doesn’t mind (or even prefers) a visible metal restoration
Gold doesn’t chip, doesn’t wear down your opposing teeth, and can last decades. It’s often the top choice for durability, though it’s not always the first choice cosmetically.
Why gold might be right for you:
- It offers the longest lifespan
- It’s gentle on surrounding teeth
- It withstands strong bite forces
- It has excellent fit and sealing ability
If you want a restoration that will likely outlive you, gold is the material for that job.
How to Choose: The Factors That Actually Matter
Your dentist will look at the size of the cavity, your bite, and where the tooth sits in your mouth. But from your perspective, the decision usually comes down to a few practical points.
Here’s what you should weigh when choosing:
1. Appearance
If you want something that disappears into your smile, porcelain or composite will make you happiest. Gold stands out, which some people love and others avoid.
2. Durability
For maximum strength and lifespan: gold.
For balanced durability and aesthetics: porcelain.
For shorter-term or lighter bite pressure: composite.
3. Cost
Composite is usually the most affordable.
Porcelain sits in the middle.
Gold tends to cost the most, though it lasts extremely long.
4. Wear Habits
If you grind or clench, porcelain may chip and composite may wear. Gold handles heavy pressure the best.
5. Tooth Location
Front teeth or visible areas usually look best with porcelain or composite.
Back molars that chew aggressively often benefit from gold.
6. Long-Term Plans
If you want something that lasts 15 to 30 years, gold wins.
If you want long-lasting but tooth-colored, porcelain works well.
If you want something affordable now with the option to upgrade later, composite fits the bill.
What Most Dentists Recommend
Dentists often lean toward porcelain for most cosmetic cases and gold for heavy-bite molars. Composite tends to be recommended when someone wants to avoid higher costs or is restoring a smaller area.
But the right choice isn’t just about material. It’s about how that material performs in your mouth. A good dentist will evaluate your bite, your enamel strength, your habits, and your goals. That combination is what makes the final decision reliable.
The Bottom Line
There isn’t one material that’s perfect for everyone. Porcelain, composite, and gold all have clear strengths depending on what you want out of your restoration.
If you want something that feels natural and looks polished, porcelain is often the sweet spot. If you want something more affordable and repairable, composite gets the job done. If you want unmatched longevity and strength, gold is the tried-and-true option.
The best choice comes from balancing what matters most to you: appearance, durability, cost, and comfort. Once you know which of those is the priority, the decision becomes simple.
