Dental inlay in Mallorca
Insufficient dental hygiene over a long period of time can lead to various dental problems, one of the most frequent being tooth decay. Especially in molars, this caries can go unnoticed and cause serious problems. Sometimes root canal treatment or endodontics, must be accompanied by the removal of a large amount of decayed tooth tissue, which implies the need to restore the remaining tooth to ensure its functionality and protect it from further damage. This major restoration, which can also occur for other reasons, is known as a dental inlay, which, unlike a dental crown, allows greater preservation of the original tooth.
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What is dental inlay?
Dental inlay is a technique for the partial restoration of teeth that have been moderately damaged. Generally, this solution is applied to posterior teeth (molars) that have been affected by conditions such as caries (even if a root canal has been performed), or due to heavy wear and cracks resulting from a bad bite (occlusion) or problems such as bruxism (tooth clenching or grinding).
It should be borne in mind that, in this case, it is necessary to make a made-to-measure piece, for which we make use of technology, which allows us to make exact moulds. On the other hand, if the damage caused by caries or fracture is minor, we usually resort to other techniques such as the placement of fillings or dental reconstructions. And if it is not possible to carry out the inlay, a crown would be placed on the tooth.
Phases of a dental inlay
The dental inlay technique will depend on the extent of the damage. Thus, if the intervention can be carried out on the same day, we are talking about an inlay, as in the case of dental reconstructions. Alternatively, it may be necessary to make a mould of the affected area. In this case, the phases would be as follows:
In this phase of the dental inlay the specialist would remove, if any, decayed tissue from the tooth with tools specifically designed for this purpose. He or she will then proceed with the cleaning of the tooth to ensure that no trace of the disease or decay-causing bacteria remains. This, as in the case of fillings, will leave a considerable cavity in the tooth (usually molar), which is where the inlay should be placed.
The first step in the production of a dental inlay is the taking of measurements, which will allow the missing tooth structure to be reconstructed. To do this, we use an intraoral scanner with which we can design the exact shape of the artificial tooth to be reconstructed by computer and send it to the laboratory together with the selected colour. While the piece is being fabricated, we place a provisional seal to guarantee stability and facilitate the patient’s dental hygiene until the custom-made inlay is sent to the dental clinic.
On the day the dental inlay is placed, the first step is the application of local anaesthesia, so that the patient does not feel any discomfort during the intervention. If the patient suffers considerable stress or fear of the treatment to be carried out, it is possible to offer a conscious sedation technique, which will allow the patient to be awake and calm at the same time.
First of all, the dental inlay is tested on the area to be treated to check that it fits correctly and that the margins adapt, although with the technology we use, precision is maximum. Then the adhesion starts with an acid etching, continues with the placement of the adhesive and ends with the cementation of the inlay, which can be made of:
- Silver amalgam: highly resistant and durable, although this material has fallen into disuse due to its lack of aesthetics.
- Composite inlay: the material we generally use as a filling as it can perfectly mimic the colour of the tooth.
- Porcelain inlays: a highly resistant and stain-resistant material that is very durable.
Once the dental inlay has been placed, we proceed with the finishing, i.e. polishing and checking the dental occlusion, which must be correct so that the result is both functional and aesthetic and perfectly integrated.
Maintenance of the dental inlay
Although the placement of an inlay is an uncomplicated process, it is essential to follow a series of care and precautions. For example, it should be taken into account that although the caries has been eliminated, it is necessary to carry out good oral hygiene at home, as well as to attend regular check-ups and professional cleaning sessions to prevent the problem from reappearing and compromising both the success of the treatment and the stability of the rest of the teeth.
Frequently asked questions about dental inlays and onlays
As we have already mentioned, inlay involves the creation of a custom-made piece that will be placed on the tooth to be restored. However, a number of factors must be taken into account when carrying out this procedure. Firstly, the original tooth must show a normal anatomical shape and must retain sufficient volume to be able to retain the inlay.
Secondly, it should be placed when oral health is optimal, i.e. when the patient is free of periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) and caries. For this reason, in many cases a previous treatment is carried out to remove the decayed area.
For this reason, the inlay is an aesthetic partial restoration, which, although it restores the functionality of the tooth, it must be in optimal conditions, not being, for example, the support for a removable prosthesis or a fixed partial prosthesis.
There are mainly three types of dental inlays: inlays, which are placed inside the cusps of the tooth; onlays, which cover one or more cusps; and overlays, which cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth. The choice between these types depends on the degree of tooth damage and the location of decay or wear.
A dental inlay is a partial restoration that is placed on the damaged part of a tooth, preserving most of the original tooth. A dental crown, on the other hand, completely covers the tooth surface and is more suitable for teeth with extensive damage or weakened teeth.
The process is generally painless. Local anaesthesia is used to numb the treated area, which ensures that the patient feels no pain during the procedure. There may be some mild tenderness afterwards, but this is temporary.
Our specialists in dental inlays and onlays in Palma de Mallorca
Dr. Emilio Martínez-Almoyna Rifá
Periodontics and postgraduate degree in Implantology.
Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Dentistry and Master's degree in Aesthetic Medicine. University expert in Periodontology and postgraduate degree in Implantology.
Dra. Cristina Martínez-Almoyna Rifá
Certified specialist in Invisalign and straight arch.
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry, Master's degree in Orthodontics and postgraduate degree in Paediatric Dentistry. Certified specialist in Invisalign and straight arch.
Dra. Patricia Jorro
Specialist in Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth Whitening.
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry. Specialist in Cosmetic Dentistry and Teeth Whitening. Member of the American Dental Association with extensive experience.
Dr. Jose Antonio Gramallés
Postgraduate degree in Dental Prosthetics.
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry and Special Award in Conservative Dentistry. Postgraduate degree in Dental Aesthetics and Dental Prosthetics with extensive experience.
Dra. Maria Morro
Specialist in dental prosthetics.
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry and Master's degree in Paediatric Dentistry and Dentofacial Orthopaedics. Specialist in Cosmetic Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics.
Dr. Alfonso Bonnín
Surgery, periodontics, and implant rehabilitation.
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry, advanced degree in dental prosthetics, currently pursuing a master's degree in surgery, periodontics, and implant rehabilitation.
Dra. Cristina Mateu
Specialist in Conservative Dentistry
Bachelor's degree in Dentistry from ADEMA University. Specialist in Conservative Dentistry and University Expert in Endodontics with extensive experience.