Indirect Restorations: What Is a Dental Inlay and When Is It Recommended?

Learning what a dental inlay can do to improve one's overall good oral health is a great idea, as many different dental treatments are available nowadays. It depends on a dental patient's particular situation regarding what kind of treatments they will need, as there are both direct and indirect dental restoration options available to repair any dental problems.

What are indirect restorations?

Indirect restorations are dental treatments that tend to be a little more complex, requiring many patients to make two or three different dental appointments. The dentist will first create this restoration outside the patient's mouth, which can take a few weeks to complete. Once the restoration process is complete, the dentist will place them inside the patient's mouth. Examples of indirect dental restorations include dental crowns, dental bridges, and dental inlays.

What is a dental inlay?

A dental inlay is an indirect restoration option for dental patients with damaged teeth. Dental professionals often recommend this treatment option when it is evident a dental filling is not going to be enough to repair the damage, and a dental crown is not quite needed, making dental inlays an ideal choice. In addition, dental patients diagnosed with a lot of decay on one of their teeth will often benefit from getting a dental inlay, as inlays are very durable and thus provide a jeopardized tooth with the strength it needs to function properly once again.

What types of dental problems require inlays?

When are dental inlays necessary? When decay has compromised a tooth. When a dental professional removes decay from a tooth, the tooth will now have a hole or holes at the removal site; depending on their location, the naked eye can see them. These holes jeopardize the overall health of a tooth, as it is no longer as strong as it used to be due to the decay attacking the tooth's enamel. In addition, once a tooth's enamel has been exposed, the tooth is no longer protected from outside forces that can cause it more damage.

While dental fillings tend to be an acceptable treatment option for smaller holes, when larger holes need a filling, dental inlays are often the ideal choice. However, if the dentist uses a dental filling to fill a larger hole, the filler may not be sufficient, which can cause the tooth to crack. A cracked tooth is to be avoided at all costs, as when it is broken to a certain degree, it may no longer respond to new dental inlay treatment and may require a dental crown to be placed over the tooth to repair it.

In need of a dental restoration?

Is a dental inlay procedure in your near future? Many dental patients experience a bit of dental anxiety when needing dental treatment, making it a good idea for all dental patients to understand what happens during any necessary dental restoration procedures. 

The Dental Wellness Group offers dental restoration procedures to all patients in the Brandon area. To learn more about our services and processes, visit https://www.drsarahlangston.com. Call us today at (601) 533-4788 to schedule an appointment.

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