Aesthetic inlays are basically a pre-mould filling that is fitted into the grooves of your tooth. It is commonly used as a restoration dental procedure for cavities (also known as dental caries) which are located in the center of your tooth instead of the outer edges (also known as cusps).
Aesthetic inlays are perceived as a good alternative to crowns and are becoming a very minimally invasive and popular dental treatment. However, as these inlays can be made using ceramic or composite materials, many tend to have an increasing confusion about which is the best type. According to some expert insights gathered from the American Dental Clinic in Dubai, here is a brief guide on this topic.
Composite Inlays
Strong Bond
Composite inlays create a strong bond with the enamel, to keep it in place securely. This requires less drilling and so preserves as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Meaning composite inlays will not need much natural tooth structure removal as other restoration.
Fast Curing
Composite inlays have an extremely fast curing time, meaning it hardens quickly. Usually, after the composite inlays have been placed, a special curing light will be used to harden it in place in less than a minute. Similarly, it doesn’t require the use of a dental lab, so the inlays can be entirely fabricated by your dentist. Composite inlays can also be fixed in just one sitting and there is no need for expensive additional equipment, and most importantly the time required to do the job is comparatively shorter.
Aesthetic Versatility
Composite inlays are very versatile and can be customized into different colors, and shapes, which allows your cosmetic dentist to create one of a kind teeth restoration that is fitted perfectly for your tooth. Depending on your need, composite inlays can be used to blend in restoration with the natural teeth or to improve the color and shape of your teeth.
Ceramic Inlays
- Near Natural Results
One of the outstanding features of ceramic aesthetic inlays comes from its intricate physical properties that replicates natural dental enamel. This goes a long way in giving out near natural teeth whitening results. Adding to these properties, ceramic inlays also lowers thermal volume change in the filling, has a higher occlusal load capacity, and a lower self-abrasion which gives out better aesthetic results in the long run.
- Suitable For Storing Extensive Defects
Its believed that the properties of composite inlays restrict the restorations to small-and medium cavities, whereas ceramic inlays can be used for restoring large cavities in occlusally loaded posterior regions.Especially the low coefficient of thermal expansion and minimal mechanical distortion of ceramic aesthetic inlays stress the bond to the tooth structure considerably less than composite restorations. This in turn lowers the risk of marginal gap formation which can contribute to secondary caries in the long-term. In general ceramic inlays exhibit considerable advantages when restoring extensive defects.
- Tight Border Sealing
Ceramic aesthetic inlays can be etched and sanitised which allows it to have a strong bond with tightly sealed edges and a good stabilization of thin cavity walls. The tight sealing results from reduced stress at the edge of the inlays as a result of masticatory pressure and simplified proximal contact geography. This reduces the fear of them coming off and helps you be more confident with your smile.
As is evident, both composite and ceramic inlays have their own benefits over one another. What is better for you will depend on your personal expectations of the outcome and your restorative dental condition, which can only be assessed by a specialized cosmetic dentist. Additionally, a research that studied the clinical efficacy of composite Vs ceramic Inlays and Onlays, showed limited evidence that ceramics perform better than composite in the short term. The research also concluded that this result may not be valid in the long term, and other trials are needed.
