A Dentist Explains the Differences Between Dental Inlays and Dental Fillings

A dental inlay might be recommended for tooth decay that is too severe to fix with fillings. Dental fillings are used to fill up the holes created by tooth decay, called cavities. When the damage caused by tooth decay is too severe to rebuild with fillings, a dental inlay might be recommended.

An dental inlay provides more support for the tooth, restoring its function. It is an indirect restoration that is made from an impression of the tooth being treated. The impression is sent to a dental lab where the inlay is made, and the process takes approximately two weeks. The customized dental inlay is then cemented to the damaged tooth to complete the procedure.

Acids made by oral bacteria cause tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common reason that people go to the dentist. Decay does not go away on its own when left untreated. The damage will continuously expand until the tooth breaks apart or falls out of the mouth.

Exploring the differences between dental inlays and fillings

Let us take a look at the main differences between inlays and fillings.

1. Materials

Dental fillings are typically made out of silver amalgam or composite resin. Composite resin fillings are the popular approach nowadays because they can be color-matched with the patient’s teeth. Silver amalgam fillings have a grey color, which makes restorations made with them stick out.

Inlays can also be made from composite resin, but they are typically made out of porcelain, ceramic, or gold. Gold restorations are sometimes recommended for teeth at the back of the mouth because they provide more support.

2. Different procedures

Restoring a tooth with a composite resin dental filling can be completed in as little as 45 minutes. It is simply a matter of preparing the patient’s tooth, applying the filling, and hardening it. Indirect restorations like inlays typically require at least two trips to the clinic.

During the first appointment, the dentist prepares the patient’s tooth and takes an impression of it. The patient then waits for about two weeks while a custom-made restoration is made for them. They are called in for a second appointment when the restoration is ready. It is then cemented into place to finish up the treatment.

3. Uses

Inlays and fillings are both used to treat cavities, but they are used to address different types of damage. Large cavities that affect teeth in the back of the mouth are often treated with inlays because they regularly deal with extreme bite forces. Conventional fillings are typically used for smaller cavities that do not significantly affect the integrity of a tooth’s structures.

Get treatment for tooth decay

After examining your teeth, our dentist will let you know if filling or inlays are ideal for treating your cavities. Call or visit our Lilburn clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at (770) 800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

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