More and more patients wish to exchange their old fillings with a biologically harmless and long-lasting material. Porcelain Inlays in Honolulu are among the top available alternatives in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
What is an inlay?
Inlays are lab-made or computer-milled insert fillings that are used in the posterior region (premolars and molars). After the dentist removes the old filling or decayed section of the tooth, an impression of the patient’s oral cavity is taken. In the laboratory, an insert is then made of gold, ceramic, or porcelain, which fills the oral cavity with precision and, thus, restores the shape of the original tooth.
This insert filling is then glued (cemented) during the next appointment. In larger inlays, which include the cusps, it is called a dental onlay. Many types of inlays have been tested and used for many decades and are very durable but are rarely used (for aesthetic reasons).
Advantages
Porcelain Inlays in Honolulu are metal-free and, therefore, translucent. With a special adhesive, they are glued gap-free on the tooth. The result is a chemical bond between the tooth and porcelain, which also gives back the weakened tooth its original strength. The aesthetic effect is excellent because of the high transparency.
Porcelain is extremely biocompatible, which means that allergic reactions to the procedure are practically non-existent. Ceramic and porcelain inlays are durable. Here are some other advantages:
• Excellent aesthetics
• Good long-term durability
• Stabilization of weakened tooth
• Optimal biocompatibility
In principle, all posterior teeth (including molars and premolars) can be supplied with porcelain or ceramic inlays, while the front teeth will need plastic fillings or ceramic veneers. When there is tooth decay that reaches far below the gums or the remaining parts of the tooth are extremely weak and fragile (in root-treated teeth), a crown is a more durable alternative.
Disadvantages
• Relatively high price
• Time-consuming, two sessions required
• Problematic for under-the-gum defects
What about computer-milled inlays?
The cavity, in this case, is measured with a laser scanner and the data is fed into a 3D machine. This mills the inlay out of a ceramic or porcelain block, which can be placed during the same appointment. Click Here for more information.
