A dental inlay is a custom-made filling that is used to heal a tooth that has been heavily deteriorated or injured. It’s a single, solid restorative piece that’s custom-made to fit a cavity’s unique shape. Between the cusp points, an inlay covers the pits and fissures of a tooth’s chewing surface.

Inlays are mostly applied on molars and premolars when a regular filling is not possible. When a tooth has been through many restoration procedures or is weakened, inlays are frequently prescribed. If prior fillings have broken, a dentist may recommend a dental inlay.

To match the natural color of the teeth, dental inlays are frequently composed of porcelain or composite resin. Gold can also be used as an inlay. Gold inlays are the most expensive filling material, yet they last the longest.

Unless the dentist has a milling machine, placing an inlay usually takes two visits to the dentist’s office. The milling machine allows the dentist to complete the procedure in one day and prevents the need for a temporary restoration.

In the past, the dental inlay procedure required two appointments to complete. The dentist prepares the tooth by drilling out any decay at the initial appointment. After the problem has been addressed, the dentist uses putty to produce a mold or imprint of the tooth. The inlay is made using this mold, which is then shipped to a dental lab for making. The dentist places a temporary inlay on the tooth at the conclusion of the first visit to safeguard it between appointments.

The dentist cleans the tooth and removes the temporary inlay during the second appointment session. The dentist next inspects the fit of the permanent inlay before cementing it to the tooth. Finally, the inlay is polished and smoothed by the dentist.