Dental Inlay Procedure

What is a Dental Inlay?

A dental inlay is a dental implant that is used to help prevent and treat cavities. Inlays, which are specifically designed to fit into the spaces left after the excavation of a cavity, are distinguished from onlays, which are used to fill in cusps of the teeth. Dental inlays are used to help strengthen and support teeth that have been damaged by cavities.

What does a Dental Inlay consist of?

A dental inlay is a filling that is made from gold, porcelain or on some occasions other metal alloys. These filling materials are specifically fabricated and designed to fit onto the particular tooth that is affected.

What are the benefits of a Dental Inlay?

A dental inlay is beneficial over a full crown, which entirely covers the affected tooth, because it is less easily noticeable. It provides a solid amount of support for the affected tooth, but uses a smaller quantity of materials. The use of porcelain inlays provides an even more natural appearance to the dental implant than gold or other metal alloys does. Dental inlays are excellent at filling in spaces created by cracks and splits in teeth, meaning that they tend to be much better at providing support than other types of fillings.

Who is a candidate for a Dental Inlay?

Dental inlays are typically only provided to adults or to adolescents who are old enough to have their adult teeth fully grown. Because of the fact that the teeth may continue to change and grow into place late into a child's adolescence, the addition of an inlay to the dental system of such patients poses a certain risk. The teeth may grow around the inlay and cause a variety of problems to the jaw, which can result in pain and other negative effects.

What does the procedure consist of?

After it is determined that a cavity is present in the tooth, the inlay must first be manufactured before it can be properly implanted. In most cases, this is done by creating a plaster molding of the jawline and the affected teeth. The manufacturer can then use the molding to create the filling itself, which is then checked for fit with the real teeth. Once a proper fit is confirmed, the filling can be bonded to the teeth using a dental cement or similar substance.

What are the results like?

The results of a dental inlay are a strengthened tooth that will be resistant to further damage as caused by cavities and similar decay. When made from gold, the inlay will be clearly visible within the mouth. Porcelain inlays tend to be somewhat less visible.

What are the risks?

Dental inlays, when installed correctly, pose very little risk whatsoever. They will be securely bonded and will not be able to come dislodged under normal circumstances. They do not increase the risk of infection or disease. Like real teeth, they must be properly cared for and kept clean.

• In-lays and On-lays Reno/Tahoe

  Inlays and Onlays work a lot like fillings except they are specially crafted in a dental lab before being placed on the tooth, as oppose to fillings t......