If the tooth’s own material has really weakened, the cavity is too big and the remaining tooth is too little to keep the filling, we can’t make a strong filling. In this case we can make an indirect filling called inlay. Many times we meet with the fact that the patients do not want to have any crowns on heavily destroyed teeth. It could have a negative psychological effect. In these cases the patients get happy if they hear about the possibility of inlay making. The inlay helps to replace the original anatomic shape without preparing the tooth more than necessary. So we can save as many own tooth material as possible. We have to prepare a special inlay cavity and take an impression about it. The technician makes the inlay in the laboratory and we glew it into the cavity. If the inlay replaces also the cuspids of the tooth then we talk about onlay.
The inlays are originally made of golden but in the last decade, in the aesthetic dentistry’s age we usually make full porcelain or composite inlay. Those can beautifully replace the original anatomic and aesthetic situation.
What s “inlay” exactly?
Inlay is the indirect filling to be made if the cavity in the tooth is too big, so it is not possible to fill directly. Fist, a special cavity is to be prepared and impressions are to be taken. The laboratory prepares the inlay that is to be fitted by us into the cavity with luting cement.
How is the inlay fitted into the tooth?
Similarly to normal fillings, we use the adhesive technique , so fit it with a special dual cure cement that hardens by mixing and by lightening too..
What is the inlay made of?
The aesthetic inlays are made of porcelain or composite. Formerly, we made golden inlays as well; however, recently the aesthetic dentistry prefers the tooth colored restorations, although the golden inlays are long term restorations indeed.
How long does it take for the inlays to be ready after the impressions are taken?
The technician can prepare the inlay within 4-5 working days.
What is the lifetime of an inlay?
Inlays are made for long term. We expect the inlays to last for more than 10 years, at least.