It is an artifact adopted especially in the posterior teeth of the arch, such as molars or premolars, and is inserted when the cavity created by dental caries is too large.
It is therefore used when standard reconstruction is not possible because there is too little healthy tooth matter, thus insufficient to be cured by a direct compositefilling.
Dental inlays are also called indirect restorations because they are made outside the mouth by means of a 3d molding, unlike the traditional filling that is made in the mouth , ''freehand.'' Direct composite fillings, on the other hand, are performed in a single chairside session by the dentist.
The technique is mainly adopted for posterior teeth, because they are the ones that have to bear a greater chewing load than the dental elements that have a frontal location in the arch, such as the canines and incisors, which bear less of the weight of chewing.
In addition, the dental inlay protects the tooth making it more durable and allows it to recover its aesthetics and function 100%; finally,being produced by a 3d printer is more 'precise ( the 3d printer has an accuracy of 25 microns ( that is 0.025 mm !!!!)
Characteristics of a dental inlay
Dental inlay can be made from different types of materials; these include ceramics.
Ceramic is one of the materials that is undoubtedly considered to be the most biocompatible; it is more durable than others, as well as very similar in terms of aesthetics to a natural tooth (which guarantees a result that is always highly appreciated by patients).
In addition, unlike the old amalgam used in filling operations until recently, ceramic does not give problems such as the accumulation of mercury in the body (as the main element of amalgam, mercury can spread in the form of particles and thus cause serious problems for the patient over time).
Tooth preparation and operation
Before the dental inlay is inserted into the cavity formed in the tooth after caries export, the working area must be properly prepared.
The tooth will be prepared for the operation with a preliminary removal of the damaged part (removal of caries, old defective filling or unsightly and dangerous amalgam), and then it will be shaped to a suitable shape to accommodate the reconstruction.
At this stage we then have a job of preparing the tooth socket (vital or devitalized). Instead, the next step is to insert the restoration into the socket.
That done, the dentist proceeds by taking a precision impression of the tooth, through silicone, based on which the dental inlay will then be made in the laboratory.
Advantages of dental inlay
The first major advantage ofusing a dental inlay, compared to a composite filling, is its strength: the inlay is made from a block of ceramic whose hardness modulus is higher than that of composite resin, thus ensuring absolute safety and peace of mind in the food-chewing processes.
It is therefore a long-lasting material that does not create problems after application. The material used is also highly biocompatible with the structures inside the mouth.
The second advantage, or guarantee, of dental inlay is the precision of the artifact. Because it is designed and fabricated in the laboratory, indirect filling guarantees proven quality, which is arrived at by means of numerically controlled milling machines that ensure the most accurate results.
Reconstructing the tooth with an inlay ensures the creation of a chewing surface in harmony with the rest of the arch, which allows for the proper contact points between the various dental elements.
Thus, dental inlay provides protection of the tooth, which retains its substance, perfect aesthetics, which resembles that of a normal tooth, and long life.
It is a painful treatment
Dental inlay is not a painful treatment, but to minimize the sensation of discomfort, the dentist always proceeds with preanesthesia on the area where the work will be focused; usually a spray anesthetic is used, which goes to desensitize the surface and ensures peace of mind for the patient.
After this first phase, we usually switch to classical anesthesia, which allows the area to be completely numbed.
How long does a dental inlay last
Because it is constructed in the laboratory from a ceramic block, the indirect filling has greater durability and strength than a standard composite filling.
Clearly, to ensure the inlay has a long life, it is important to proceed with careful oral hygiene on a daily basis so that it is not damaged by bacteria or tartar.
How much does a dental inlay cost
The price for this may vary depending on the size and location where the inlay is to be placed.
A distinction tends to be made between: occlusal inlay, which affects only the posterior part of the arch, related to molars or premolars; "normal" inlay, which occurs when caries also extends to the points of contact between one tooth and the other (thus when there are interdental caries); and complex inlay, which is adopted when the cusps of the tooth also need to be reconstructed.
Based on the specific case, the price can therefore vary from 200 to 550 euros. However, the price is proportionate to the type of work, which we recall is composed of a phase of creating the inlay in the laboratory, generated from the patient's dental cast, and a phase of insertion into the tooth, carried out by the dentist at the chairside.
If you would like more information aboutdental inlay, do not hesitate to contact our office. At the Savasta office you will find a helpful and highly specialized staff in all dental procedures, especially in filling procedures, which are performed daily on patients who consistently confirm their satisfaction.
So book a checkup at our center and let our doctors guide you to rediscover your most beautiful smile.
