Introduction
Inlays make sense in many cases. Plastic fillings are usually sufficient for most tooth defects, but the larger the defect, the better the choice of a laboratory-made restoration for the long-term preservation of the tooth. We have tried to answer many of the questions we receive on this topic below.
What are inlays?
These are laboratory-made inlay restorations that fit precisely into your tooth. Put simply, inlays are fillings that are produced in the dental laboratory and then cemented into the tooth by the dentist. A distinction is made between inlays, onlays and overlays. While onlays are no longer made these days, overlays are still very popular. The difference to the inlay is that the overlay also covers the cusp of the tooth. In our practice, we try to avoid this in order to protect as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Which inlays are the best?
A distinction is made between gold and ceramic inlays. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Gold inlays are highly precise and extremely durable when handled correctly. However, they are not aesthetically pleasing. In contrast, ceramic inlays are aesthetically much better, but are much more difficult to use correctly. An experienced dentist can apply ceramic inlays made of the more modern materials with high precision and very long durability, similar to gold.
Why should an inlay be used instead of a filling?
The restorations produced in the laboratory are ideal for larger tooth defects, especially when a filling can no longer guarantee the stability of the tooth. The reason for this lies in the material properties.
- Modern fillings are made of a plastic material. This plastic is malleable so that the dentist can insert it into the tooth and shape it. A chemical reaction is started with light to harden the plastic. During this hardening process, the filling shrinks by a few micrometers. The larger the filling, the greater the shrinkage. While there is no clinical problem with smaller fillings, a microscopic gap may form at the edge of the tooth with larger fillings. Bacteria can adhere to this gap and lead to tooth decay. An experienced dentist will layer the filling in individual sections to minimize this effect.
- A plastic filling wears out more quickly than ceramic, which means that the filling may even chip in some areas. In contrast, ceramic gives the tooth more stability due to its hardness.
In the case of ceramic inlays, a further application is for very high esthetic requirements in the posterior region.
What does the health insurance company pay for an inlay?
You receive a subsidy from the statutory health insurance companies for a laboratory-made inlay restoration. This depends on your health insurance company. Depending on the size of the defect, you may need a partial crown and not an inlay, in which case the health insurance company will pay a higher subsidy.
In most cases, privately insured and additionally insured patients are reimbursed for the entire treatment and laboratory costs. We will be happy to advise you on this.
How much does an inlay cost?
A gold inlay is calculated individually for you depending on the daily gold price. The co-payment for a ceramic inlay is between €320 and €510 depending on the size of the inlay and the subsidy from your health insurance provider. You are welcome to take advantage of our installment payment option.
How long should I refrain from eating after an inlay has been inserted?
As a general rule in dentistry, you should not eat anything while the anesthetic is still working. However, there are additional points to bear in mind with laboratory-fabricated inlay restorations. For example, you should refrain from eating gummy bears for the first 24 hours, as chewing them can cause a soaking effect and the inlay to come loose. Normally, however, the adhesive of the inlay is firm enough after 24 hours. However, you should discuss this individually with your dentist.
How exactly is a ceramic inlay bonded?
For ceramic restorations, the ceramic is first roughened from the tooth side and etched with hydrofluoric acid. The enamel in the mouth is also etched with a special acid. This increases the bonding surface due to the resulting relief. A silane is then used on the ceramic to prepare the surface of the ceramic for the adhesive. While the silane is working, the tooth is prepared for the adhesive with a special liquid. The inlay resin adhesive, which hardens under light, is then used for the actual insertion. The excess adhesive is then removed before the adhesive is cured with the light lamp.
How long does the treatment take?
We are also able to fabricate inlay restorations chairside, which means that the restoration can be placed on the same day. However, for aesthetically demanding patients with a desire for complex color matching, it makes sense to spread the treatment over two sessions.
How is an inlay inserted?
The short answer is that a ceramic inlay is bonded, while a gold inlay is cemented.
How long does an inlay last?
A well-made, high-quality laboratory-fabricated restoration lasts a lifetime with good oral hygiene. On average, studies show that an inlay does not need to be replaced for 20-30 years.