Aesthetic inlays
An inlay is restoration created by an odonto-technical laboratory from a imprint of the patients’ mouth, which is then cemented into place in the surgery at a second appointment.
The decision to apply an inlay is dictated by the need to reconstruct severely damaged molars and premolars obtaining, at the same time, a better aesthetic and functional result without capping the teeth with a capsule.
When is an inlay indicated?
- In elements whose healthy substance is thin;
- to obtain the best aesthetic and functional result;
- as an alternative to silver amalgam;
- as an alternative to very extensive composite restoration which may prove insufficiently robust and resistant to chewing loads.
What material are inlays made of?
Inlays may be made in gold, ceramics or composite resins. The first, and until recent years, material to be used was gold. The advent of new technologies and materials permitted dentistry to use materials in the same colour as the teeth, without missing out on the functional results and duration delivered by gold.
The material to be inlaid is, obviously, chosen on the basis of the aesthetic needs of the patient and of the condition of the teeth.
It is necessary to take into account the significant chewing load to which the rear teeth are subject, the state of the residual healthy tissue, the state of the soft tissue surrounding the tooth, the colour of the other teeth.
How is an inlay prepared?
One begins by removing the damaged substance from the tooth, modelling it to create a lodging for the inlay later. At this point an impression of the tooth and its’ neighbours is made to permit the creation of a copy of the zone, on which the inlay will be made.
The space which will host the inlay is closed temporarily.
All the material obtained (impression, photos, colour, waxes) is sent to the dental technicians’ laboratory for the manufacture of the inlay.
At the second session, the temporary material plug is removed and the inlay is tested and then cemented.
Facings are very thin shells executed in materials of the same colour as natural teeth (composite resins, ceramics) which are cemented to the front teeth, upper and lower, cover the frontal, external area.
The preparation and cementation technique is similar to that described for inlays.
When are facings indicated?
- to hide defects in the enamel and pulp;
- to close excessive spaces which there may be between teeth (diastemae);
- to cover permanent stains (like those caused by some antibiotics and by fluoride during the period of formation of hard tissues in the organism);
- to correct mild orthodontic irregularities (turned, inclined teeth);
- to line fracture, worn or chipped teeth.
What material are facings made of?
Facings may be in ceramic or composite resins. As for inlays, the best suited material is chosen on a single case basis, from both the aesthetic and the function viewpoints.
How is a facing made?
The clinical phases are similar to those described for inlays. Effectively a thin layer of front tooth enamel is prepared, of which an impression is take, which is necessary to make the item. From one sitting to the next the patient will have a temporary facing which is removed to cement the definitive facing in place.
How do I care for inlays and facings?
As with all inserts into the mouth, correct, careful oral hygiene is of fundamental importance.
Thus wash your teeth after each meal, use dental floss, inter-dental brushes as recommended by your dentist. These habits all extend the life of you prostheses without affecting its’ quality.
Note that inlays and facings require regular, periodical checkups (at most twice a year) on a case by case basis.
Finally, to prevent damage to facings, you should not rip food or bite overly hard food with teeth restored with facings. |
