Cosmetic Dentistry- Porcelain Inlays
Porcelain Inlays
A
porcelain inlay is merely a custom made
filling. It has characteristics of a
crown because of how its made. The
material for inlays vary. Each material
will have its own set of advantages and
disadvantages. Depending where the inlay
will be placed at will inevitably decide
which material is best. You and your
dentist can discuss that when the time
comes. In most cases Porcelain Inlays
are made because the finished product
(inlay) will resemble the natural
color of your teeth. In general, an
inlay is made by a professional dental
laboratory which will use an impression
(mold) to make the inlay a precise fit!
Later the inlay is permanently cemented
on by your dentist.
Inlays can be the best option for teeth
that have large holes, loose, defective
or broken fillings which were caused by
tooth decay, trauma or over time the
inlay will work perfectly! Inlays are
often utilized mostly because the want
or need for an alternative to an
silver amalgam
filling, a
composite filling
or a
crown.
In addition to this, inlays are a part
of minimally evasive dentistry because
they are conservative in the sense that
minimal tooth decay or tooth structure
is removed while achieving the great
results of a
crown.
As with most dental restorations,
porcelain inlays may have to be replaced
at some point in time. Most patients
have kept the same inlay in for decades
and some have kept them in longer!
Porcelain inlays are designed to match
the size, shape and color of your teeth
giving you that natural look.
That being said, they are very durable
and will provide you will many long
lasting years, giving you that
beautiful smile that you
have always wanted.
Reasons For Inlay Restorations:
-
Large Fillings
- Broken, Fractured or Chipped Fillings
- Decayed Teeth
- Fractured or Broken Teeth
- Cosmetic/aesthetic Enhancement
- Alterative choice to composite
filling, amalgam filling or crown
What is involved in a Inlay?
This procedure usually takes two
appointments. To start off the first
appointment, we will take very precise
impressions (molds) of your upper and
lower teeth. The impressions then will
be sent off to a Dental Lab where they
will be used to create a custom (size,
shape, and color) crown. The custom
inlay will take about 1-2 weeks to make.
The procedure is typically painless, the
area where the tooth is located will be
numb with (novocain). Next the
dentist will prepare the tooth for the
inlay by removing any decay and also by
shaping the surfaces of the tooth to
accept the inlay. After that, a
temporary inlay will be placed on the
tooth using temporary cement. Before you
leave your bite pattern will be checked.
Sometimes it is hard for you to tell how
your bite pattern is when you are numb,
so we use bite ink film, you bite down
and it will leave ink spots where to
tell us if your bite is correct.
When the custom inlay is back from the
Dental Lab, you will be attending your
second and last appointment. The inlay
will be placed on your tooth to see if
it fits properly, if need be minor
adjustments will be made to ensure that
it fits flawlessly. Before you leave
your bite pattern will be checked.
Sometimes it is hard for you to tell how
your bite pattern is when you are numb,
so we use bite ink film, you bite down
and it will leave ink spots where to
tell us if your bite is correct.
After the procedure you will be given
post procedural care instructions. As
with any examination or procedure good
oral hygiene practices, and regular
dental examination visits will be
encouraged to maintain the life of your
porcelain inlay and your smile.
