Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
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A Porcelain Inlay May Be The Best Way To Restore Your Tooth
Eleanor Crawford
If you have a tooth with a large cavity, or if you want to remove an unattractive amalgam filling, your dentist may recommend you get a porcelain inlay. Inlays have several advantages over amalgam or resin fillings. They offer better protection and they blend in well with surrounding teeth. Here's a closer look at why an inlay may be a good choice for you.
Porcelain Inlays Look Natural
If you want to maintain the appearance of natural enamel, you probably want to avoid metal or resin fillings. Metal is especially easy to see in your mouth, even in back teeth when you talk or laugh. Resin is white, so it isn't as noticeable in back teeth, but it can be seen in front teeth since it has a flat texture that doesn't reflect light like natural enamel.
Dental porcelain is the ideal material for repairing teeth because it's color can be matched to the surrounding teeth and it has a reflective quality that allows it to blend in perfectly with natural enamel. Porcelain inlays are suitable for front and back teeth. No one can tell you've had dental work done, and your teeth will appear to be naturally whole and healthy.
An Inlay Makes Your Tooth Stronger
Porcelain is a strong, durable substance. It stands up to years of grinding and biting. However, the strength of porcelain is not the only reason an inlay protects your tooth. Your tooth is made stronger because of the way inlays are applied. When your dentist puts a traditional filling in your tooth, the amalgam or resin is packed into the crater into your tooth while the filling material is soft. Once it's all packed in, the filling hardens in place. This technique has a few potential problems. For one thing, the pressure of the packed filling puts continuous pressure on your tooth. If your tooth is fragile because a lot of it was lost to a cavity, this could make your tooth crack more easily.
Another problem with fillings is that the material responds to hot and cold food by expanding and contracting slightly. This very slight movement has an effect on the stability of your tooth over the years. This can cause the filling to work loose and allow bacteria to enter and cause decay once again.
These problems are eliminated with an inlay. An inlay is a two-step process. In the first step, your dentist removes the decayed portion of your tooth and then makes an impression of the cavity. The impression is used by a dental lab to create a porcelain inlay that perfectly fits into the opening in your tooth. During your second visit to the dentist, the inlay is cemented into place. This makes your tooth much stronger than it was before.
An inlay is similar to a crown, which is actually an overlay. The difference is the crown fits completely over your tooth and an inlay fits into your tooth like a puzzle piece. An inlay can restore the strength and function of your tooth when a simple filling may not be enough. Contact a dentist, such as Dr. David K. Skeels, if you are interested in getting an inlay.
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