An A-to-Z Guide to Inlay Dental Treatment

Inlay treatment is a treatment that removes cavities and then attaches a custom-made prosthesis to the tooth.
Although it looks like a “cavity treatment” on the outside, the manufacturing and bonding process is quite elaborate.
Understanding the process will reduce anxiety before treatment and make it easier to make decisions when receiving explanations.

What is inlay treatment?

• The area of ​​the cavity is too large to be filled with resin

• When a slightly stronger material is needed, the treatment of choice is an inlay.

After removing the cavity, a mold is taken and a separately manufactured prosthesis is attached.

 

How is inlay treatment done?

① Cavity removal & surface cleaning

• Carefully remove the rotten area so as not to irritate the inflamed area.

• Afterwards, the surface is smoothed to remove any sharp edges.

This step must be done neatly so that the subsequent inlays fit accurately.

 

② 3D scanner & AI design

• Nowadays, 3D oral scanners are used to scan the condition of your teeth.

• AI program designs inlay shape based on scan data

The important point here

• AI automatically adjusts the edges, but the dentist or dental technician must make fine adjustments.

• Inlays are less automated than crowns, so you can design them yourself by importing a basic shape.

• Design time takes about 5 to 10 minutes

 

③ Material selection & inlay production

• Available materials

  • Ceramic

  • zirconia

  • Nanoresin

• In this case, nanoresin selection

  • The intensity is somewhat low, but

  • The cost burden is relatively low in that environment.

The machine carves the selected material block and completes the inlay production in about 4 minutes.

 

since

• Edge trimming

• Clean up unnecessary parts

 

Inlay Bonding, This Step is Especially Important (Caution)

Surface treatment → Adhesion → Curing

1. sandblast

   • Make the inlay surface rough
     Make sure the adhesive penetrates well

2. After applying the adhesive, cure it with blue light.

3. The tooth surface is treated with an acid gel.

4. Apply adhesive + cement again

5. Final curing with blue light

 

Precautions you must keep in mind

If any protruding cement remains after bonding,

• Can cause severe inflammation of the gums

so

• After it has hardened

• Carefully remove any protruding cement.

• Smooth surface finish

This process completes the treatment.

To summarize, you can understand it like this

🦷 Key Summary of Inlay Treatment

• If the cavity is large, an inlay may be an option.

• Custom design with 3D scanner and AI

• There are differences in strength and cost depending on the material.

• The production itself is quick, but the bonding and finishing process is very important.

• In particular, whether or not cement is cleaned is directly related to gum health.

One-line summary

Inlay treatment is not a “cut and paste” treatment, but a process that requires meticulous attention to detail from design, production, and adhesion.