An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain inlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. A porcelain inlay is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
Inlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional silver and composite fillings. Also, they are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays.
As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
Reasons for inlay restorations:
What does getting an inlay involve?
We offer single visit inlays using CAD/CAM technology and our in office CEREC dental lab. Using a computer connected BluRay intra-oral camera, pictures of your prepared tooth are taken and rendered in 3D software. A restoration is then designed on the computer by Dr. Niebergall and staff, then sent to an in-office 3-axis milling machine where the inlay, onlay, crown, or veneer is milled from a block of high strength porcelain or ceramic material. Custom shading can then be achieved at the chair and then fired in a glazing oven. The final restoration is then cemented or bonded to the tooth while still under anesthesia. All done in one visit, no second appointment, no troublesome temporary crowns and no second shot!
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. Your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.
You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay.