Filling, Onlay, or Crown? Your 2026 Guide to Saving Your Smile
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When a tooth is damaged, the biggest question isn't just "how much?" but "how do I save it for the long term?" At Bigmouthten Dental Clinic, Chiang Mai, we follow a Biomimetic approach—aiming to mimic nature by preserving as much of your healthy tooth as possible.
In 2026, modern dentistry categorizes restorations into two types: Direct (done in the chair) and Indirect (custom-made in a lab for superior strength). Here is how to choose the right fix.
Comparison: Restoration Options at a Glance
| Feature | Composite Filling (Direct) | Inlay / Onlay (Indirect) | Zirconia Crown (Indirect) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage Level | Small / Minor | Moderate | Severe / Cracked |
| Tooth Preservation | Highest | Very High | Lower (Full Shaping) |
| Durability | Short to Medium-Term | Long-Term | Long-Term |
| Time Required | Same Day (1 Visit) | 7 – 14 Days (2 Visits) | 7 – 14 Days (2 Visits) |
| Typical Price | ฿1,000 – ฿4,000 | ฿16,500 | ฿16,500 |
1. Composite Filling: The "Direct" Fix
A filling is a direct restoration, meaning it is sculpted and hardened right inside your mouth during a single visit.
Best for: Small cavities and minor chips where most of the tooth is still healthy.
Efficiency: Perfect for a quick, one-hour appointment.
Limitations: For larger repairs, a filling may not be strong enough to withstand heavy chewing forces over many years.
2. Inlay & Onlay: The "Tooth-Saver"
Often called "Partial Crowns," these are Indirect Restorations. Instead of grinding the whole tooth down, we only replace the damaged section with a solid piece of premium ceramic.
Best for: Moderate decay or replacing large, failing old fillings.
Biomimetic Advantage: Because it is an indirect restoration, it is custom-milled in a lab to fit your tooth with micron-level precision, preserving more of your natural enamel than a crown.
Strength: It reinforces the tooth structure, helping to prevent future fractures.
3. Zirconia Crown: The Total Shield
A full crown is also an Indirect Restoration but involves encasing the entire tooth above the gum line to provide maximum protection.
Best for: Structurally weak teeth, cracked teeth, or those that have had a Root Canal.
Material: We use Premium Multilayered Zirconia for "unbreakable" strength and natural beauty.
Total Defense: Acting like a high-strength "helmet," it protects the remaining tooth from shattering under heavy pressure.
The Bigmouthten Advantage in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a global hub for Dental Tourism due to our high clinical standards and the city's significantly lower cost of living. At Bigmouthten Dental Clinic, we combine this value with world-class technology:
Specialist Expertise: Every indirect restoration is designed by a specialist in aesthetic dentistry.
The 7–14 Day Quality Buffer: While we aim for a fast turnaround, we recommend a 7 to 14-day window. This ensures we have ample time for the master lab to perfect your restoration and allows for any fine-tuning adjustments during your second visit to ensure a 100% perfect fit.
Digital Workflow: We use 3D intraoral scanners—no messy, uncomfortable molds.