Inlays - Methods

The term "inlay" denotes a filling that is prepared using a pre-casted mold of the dental structure and is subsequently embedded within the affected tooth. Thereafter, the filling is either cemented or bonded to the tooth.¹

The goals of such treatment methods are the complete removal of caries, the abatement of other possible damage in the masticatory load-bearing pre-molar/molar area, the filling of the resulting cavity, and long-term preservation of the repaired tooth or teeth thereafter.

Inlays should be differentiated from traditional plastic fillings. In contrast to inlays, plastic fillings are introduced into the tooth in a single treatment session and fill cavities caused by caries. These fillings typically offer a reduced lifespan within the mouth in comparison to inlays. The restoration of teeth using inlays is usually accomplished in two treatment sessions and is a somewhat more precise and longer-lasting form of fighting caries.

There are different forms, sizes, and designs for inlay fillings. Three basic types of restorations can be distinguished: inlays, onlays, and overlays. These three have a fair degree of fluid overlap in their application; while the edges of inlays lie within the masticatory surface and do not quite reach the cusp of the tooth, onlays extend to the cusps of the teeth. Overlays are the most extensive form of inlay filling - they span the dental cusps from within and without.
In addition to the different types of restorations there is also a selection of various materials from which inlays can be prepared. Metal alloys are common (usually alloys with a high gold content), as are synthetics, ceramic, or mix of both (e.g. galvanic inlays, which consist of a gold understructure and a ceramic blend).
The form of filling that is ultimately employed depends heavily on the dental damage present, the general situation of the dental structure, the aesthetic requirements, and the appropriateness of the various materials for the individual patient.^{2, 3}