Inlays - Introduction

Our teeth, along with their chewing and masticating functions, are an important component of daily nutritional intake. They must be able to withstand enormous loads and should, ideally, remain with us throughout our entire lives. For these reasons it is important to treat dental defects long-term so that one's natural dental substance can be retained as long as possible. If one or more instances of caries are present, these caries must then not only be stopped; the resulting hole in the tooth must also be filled. Inlays are an outstanding solution and offer the advantage of longer-lasting durability in comparison to plastic fillings. Inlays can be prepared using different materials and can be articulated as either a gold inlay or a ceramic inlay (or also as a porcelain inlay). Inlays made of ceramic, gold, or even synthetic materials are outstanding alternatives to traditional filling methods used for treating dental defects. Their working lifespan is - depending on the material used - substantially longer than that of plastic fillings; the most modern materials and methods of restoration lead to aesthetically appealing results.

Addressing dental defects long-term is the primary goal of caries treatment. The carious dental substance must be removed and further spread of caries must be stopped. Your dentist achieves this through preparatory boring into and debuffing of the damaged teeth. An individual treatment plan will have been drawn up with the patient beforehand. One differentiates between three different types of inlays, depending on where the dental defects are located. An inlay lies underneath the chewing surface; so-called onlays extend over the top of the teeth. Finally, overlays are the most comprehensive type of restoration - they lie on the tops of the teeth and extend inward and outward. After professional preparation, the inlay is constructed with the aid of an impression that has been made of your teeth. In a second session, the inlay can be embedded into the tooth. Normally, a patient must plan for two treatment appointments with the dentist. However, modern procedures allow for a so-called "optical impression" of the teeth as well as computer-assisted preparation of inlays, making it possible to eliminate one treatment session.

In every case, the results are visible. Ceramic - or synthetic/plastic - inlays are constructed after an individual dental color analysis has been performed, in which the natural tooth color of the patient serves as a model. An untrained observer will typically not be able to distinguish the inlay from the patient's natural teeth.

The working materials used are low-risk - allergies or biocompatibility issues arise only in very rare cases. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you discuss your individual risks in-depth with the doctor who is treating you.