Fillings
Aesthetics - Inlays
High quality filling for medium or larger defects
Dental fillings must meet certain health and aesthetic requirements. Inlays fulfill both purposes excellently. They are produced indirectly, i.e. not in the oral cavity. This makes it possible to customize them so that they reliably match your own tooth color and the shape of the defect on the tooth.
When are inlays useful?
As a filling for medium to large defects on the tooth
Inlays are used as fillings when there are medium or large defects in the tooth, for example, caused by caries. However, if the defect is very big, a crown would be the better choice. For smaller fillings, another filling material, such as composite, is usually more appropriate. Less tooth substance has to be prepared than for an inlay. Patients who are allergic to other filling materials or simply wish a different treatment can also opt for inlays as a high-quality filling.
A popular material for this is disilicate ceramics. This is not only recommended because of its natural tooth color, but also because of its excellent material properties: Ceramic is biocompatible and does not intereact with metals, which are often already present in the oral cavity in the form of fillings.
As far as the lifespan of an inlay is concerned, these last on average six to ten years. However, a significantly longer life is possible with good care. The inlay can then be easily replaced by the dentist.
How does the manufacturing of an inlay work?
Before an inlay can be inserted, the corresponding area of the tooth must first be prepared by the dentist using a special grinding technique. This grinding process prepares the tooth for the material and the shape of the inlay. The dentist then takes an impression of the defective tooth so that a precisely fitting inlay can be produced in the laboratory.
The ceramic inlay is then applied to the tooth structure with the help of a special bonding with an adhesive effect. This means that a microscopic bond is created through fine pores, which ensures that the inlay and the tooth substance adhere firmly and reliably to each other. In general, two sessions are necessary, since the inlay is produced in the dental laboratory in the meantime.
