A dental inlay is a tooth-filling tool commonly used to fill dental caries or cavities. It is often already moulded into a particular shape to fit into the grooves of the teeth. They are different from typical dental fillings as dental fillings are generally liquid and are usually a form of amalgam. On the other hand, dental inlays are solid pieces of gold or titanium carefully created in a laboratory to fit right into the dental cavities. Dental inlays are shaped like a part of the tooth and are fixed to the surface of teeth with the help of adhesive cement. Unlike other procedures, the teeth don’t have to be cut or ground in any way to fit in the dental inlays.
Before receiving any dental treatment, it is necessary to thoroughly understand it and find out if you are comfortable with it. Dental inlays come under the category of restorative dentistry. These inlays are also said to last for a lifetime, given that the patient properly takes care of them. Dental inlays are considered an option when there is damage to the tooth surface and a cavity is created.
They can only be considered the best option when the patient is eligible and has certain dental conditions. The major cause of dental cavities is poor oral hygiene and bacterial accumulation.
Let us understand more about dental inlays and when they are considered as the best option.
Dental Inlays examination
Before performing any dental operation, the patient’s teeth will be thoroughly examined for signs of ailments and injuries other than cavities. If any other dental ailment is discovered, the patient is suggested to receive appropriate treatment for the particular condition, then proceed with the procedure of getting inlays. The dental examination can also include X-ray observation to better understand the structure of the teeth. This is a necessary step as complications may arise if dental inlays are implanted in the teeth while another disease is developing in the mouth.
Generally, the patients are advised to get their teeth cleansed before getting dental inlays as bad dental health and germ build-up can seriously interfere with the dental inlays. The whitening procedure involves the application of a whitening solution over the surface of the teeth. This solution is left for a few minutes over the surface. After a few minutes, laser light is shown on the teeth while the solution is still on them. It is left over the solution for a few minutes. The teeth are closely observed for changes in shade. The light has to be removed when the desired shade of the teeth is achieved. When the laser light is left over the teeth for too long the shade of the teeth may become too bright and may not look good with the patient’s complexion.
Dental cleaning may also be suggested. It involves cleaning teeth with an electric brush and cleansing solution. This procedure also involves expert flossing of teeth.
After making sure the patient does not need any other additional treatments, the dentist further proceeds with the insertion of dental inlays.
Intensity of damage
When the teeth have regular chips and cracks, they can be filled with an amalgam mixture as filling. However, when the teeth have more wide cracks that simply cannot be sealed with the help of amalgam filling, inlays are considered, only major cavities or caries are filled with dental inlays. An impression is created by observing the teeth and using specific materials to make moulds. This mould is used for the preparation of permanent inlays.
Dental Inlays Procedure
The procedure for dental inlays is very similar to the procedure for any other dental implant treatment. Firstly, teeth are examined physically by the dentist. After making sure there are no other dental diseases present in the mouth, the procedure finally begins. The teeth are thoroughly cleansed and the cavities are also cleaned from the inside. A cleaning solution is used for this purpose. Then clear impressions of the teeth are taken. These impressions are used to create a metallic inlay. These inlays are prepared from gold, titanium, or any other suitable metal. This filling is carefully inserted into the dental cavity. A strong adhesive is used to keep it in place. Finally, the inlays are polished from the outside so as to create a smooth surface.