Filling of decayed teeth is a standard way of treatment, which has its own limitations and confines. Even modern composite fillings are not perfect. They are constantly contract and expand depending on our actions: whether we eat hot meal, or talking in the cold, or biting nuts ... As a result the filling wear out. Composite materials are more resistant than the cements of older generation, but they have their own life time.
In some period of time any filling must be changed. Otherwise, with hundred percent of probability the secondary caries occurrence and removal of another tooth tissue part can be predicted. That's how tooth is grinding down to a complete devitalization.
There are cases when the afflicted tooth is located in inaccessible area. Poor dentist can't get it no matter how hard he tries. As a result, the filling is not enough quality modeled and polished, which also leads to problems: caries, gingivitis…Today, stomatology can offer you a worthy alternative to fillings - ceramic inlays. This is teeth prosthesis which restore tooth crown and preserve the nerve.
Ceramic inlays are used when the tooth is destroyed on 45-80%, there is a wedge-shaped defect, enamel hypoplasia, or it is necessary to create a support under the bridge. They have perfectly established themselves as a prevention of lateral sensitive teeth abrasion.
The advantages of inlays are:
The process of treatment with ceramic inlays and fillings usage are primarily identical. The dentist first removes a tooth infection and damaged tissues; disinfects the cavity. And here next goes the differences. The dentist puts the filling layer by layer directly in the mouth.
The inlay is made differently. The dentist takes a cast from teeth rows, puts a temporary filling and sending the patient back home. It is worth noting to say that the gypsum mass is removed leaving no trace. The cast is sent to the laboratory where a dental technician takes over the baton. During inlay's simulation, technician has no inconveniences of limited space and has no need to protect the inlay from the saliva. Besides, he can twist it from all sides, apply it onto the jaw cast for better understanding of how would it fit into the system in whole. Ceramic inlay is a more accurate and quality than the filling.
There is another method of making and modeling the ceramic inlay - the use of CEREC 3 apparatus system. No cast is required. A 3D video camera is introduced into the mouth and captures both tooth and oral cavities. On a computer a dentist simulates an inlay, taking into account all the features of dentition system, and shows it to the patient. Then apparatus cut out with micron accuracy the inlay itself. The more ideal result the dentistry can't get for today.
Just do not think that ceramic inlay is a master key. It also has its own limitations. Particularly, it can't be used in difficult to approach teeth cavities (embedded into the gum), on the teeth with low crowns, with some features of periodontal and occlusion, and with increased teeth abrasion. Ceramic inlays are contraindicated for people who got used to gnash their teeth.
