Missing tooth structure, caused by tooth decay or mechanical trauma should be replaced as soon as possible. Our dental clinic is visited by patients with tooth damages of various sizes. If a tooth is severely damaged, a composite filling may not last long enough and part of it may break off over time. At the same time, the tooth structure defect may not be large enough to use a crown. In such cases, as an alternative to traditional composite fillings, we offer fully ceramic Inlay and Onlay restorations. Thanks to them, the tooth is not only mechanically strengthened. Its shape is also highly aesthetic and closer to the natural, anatomical shape of the tooth. Inlays and Onlays can be made with the CAD/CAM technology based on the optical scan of the patient’s teeth. What are the advantages of these restorations?
Advantages of an Inlay restoration
The durability is one of its most important advantages of the Inlay restoration. Inlay fills a piece of the tooth crown, i.e. the part of the tooth visible above the gum. The Inlay is mounted in such a way that it is inside the tooth crown and does not cover its cusps. It differs from traditional composite fillings mainly in terms of the materials and method of manufacture. Nowadays, Inlays are usually made fully ceramic. As for the method of production, one can utilize dental impressions and porcelain firing in a laboratory, as well as the CAD/CAM technology.
It is worth mentioning the technology that we use in the Unimedex Dental Clinic. In our clinic, we solely use CAD/CAM technology in the CEREC system to create Inlays. This technology is superior to traditional methods that require taking an unpleasant impression and having a minimum of two visits. With the CAD/CAM technology, the Inlay is made only during a single visit and in just 90 minutes! It is worth knowing that Inlays do not become discolored like composite fillings. In addition, they are abrasion-resistant, which also translates into their durability.
Advantages of an Onlay restoration
The Onlay restoration is placed on top of a damaged tooth. It recreates the surface of the tooth crown together with the chewing surface cups, which distinguishes it from an Inlay. Onlays are used to repair larger tooth damages and are used for more extensive caries than Inlays. Otherwise Inlay and Onlay are similar to each other: they are usually fully ceramic and can be created in 90 minutes using the CAD/CAM technology. A traditional impression is not performed, but an optical impression is carried out instead.
It is worth mentioning that the optical impression is not associated with the unpleasant sensations and a gag reflex that usually accompany classic impression. Inlays and Onlays are designed on a computer screen, which enables high precision of execution. They are made by milling in a high quality ceramic block. However, it is worth remembering that after mounting an Inlay or Onlay onto a tooth, in order for them to last as long as possible, you should take good care of oral hygiene. Inlay and Onlay restorations are more resistant to abrasion and have more natural shapes than composite fillings. Thanks to the use of the CAD/CAM technology, Inlays and Onlays are made quickly and without unpleasant impressions. Thanks to the use of high-quality ceramic materials, patients enjoy the effects of reconstruction through Inlay or Onlay for many years.
