Dental Inlays- tooth filling option you didn’t know about

Your teeth can experience various damages such as tooth decay, chipping, breaking, infections and many more. These worn-out teeth also weaken your smile, causing pain and diminishing the quality of life. When a tooth is too damaged to repair with a filling, dentists use dental inlays. With inlays, your dentists can not only save the healthy portions of the tooth but also provide strength and stability for  normal chewing.  Most often they are used to repair the back  teeth with mild to moderate decay. They can also be used for fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged or in need of a crown. Some benefits of dental inlays are:

• Inlays are long-lasting – These are made of tough, hard-wearing materials that can last even up to 30 years.
• Inlays make your tooth stronger  – Inlays strengthen a damaged tooth up to 75 percent  compared to traditional metal fillings which actually reduce the strength of a damaged tooth by up to 50 percent.
• Inlays prolong a tooth’s life – With dental inlays your tooth can last a lifetime. They even prevent any need for more dental treatments in  future.

How are inlays placed?

Dental inlays are placed in the central  area of the tooth. It is similar to a filling and fits inside the cusp tips (top edges) of a tooth. During the treatment process, your dentist will remove old fillings under local anesthesia. He then takes an impression of the tooth. The new inlay is made from this mold in porcelain, gold or composite resin material. The inlay is then cemented in  place during your next visit.

Dental inlays are made of different materials-

• Composites (resins) – This includes powdered glass-like material and acrylics. These are more cosmetically pleasing as they match the tooth’s color.
• Metal inlays – Gold is a common metal used for dental inlays. Dentists often use these in the rear teeth, or molars as it gives the tooth a metal’s strength and durability.
• Porcelain – Porcelain is one of the favorite inlay types as its color and contour can be matched with the natural tooth. These, however, lack durability.

To know more about dental inlays contact Green Meadow Dental at 3579 B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, (860)-865-0056 or keep reading our blogs! We also serve patients from areas like Kensington, Hartford, and East Berlin.