Advantages – disadvantages of a gold or ceramic inlay
Ceramic as a material for an inlay has several advantages over other materials. It can be adapted exactly to your own tooth color. This results in a very aesthetic restoration of the tooth, which also looks natural.
Ceramic is also very well tolerated. Allergic reactions are excluded. The stability guaranteed by a ceramic inlay is very similar to the stability of a natural tooth.
Therefore a ceramic restoration is more durable than normal fillings. Disadvantages of ceramics are the often existing air bubbles or small blowholes, which can occur due to minimal processing deviations. In contrast to gold inlays, ceramic inlays can break more quickly.
Compared to ceramics, however, a gold inlay is suitable for large posterior tooth surfaces. However, allergic reactions can occur. Gold alone would be too soft for an inlay.
Therefore, mixtures, so-called alloys are used, which can also contain other metals such as platinum, nickel, silver or titanium. In comparison to plastic fillings, more tooth substance has to be removed with an inlay. It is more expensive than other inlays and, unlike ceramic, tends to transfer heat and cold to the tooth. To avoid this, a so-called underfilling is placed between the tooth and the inlay. Among other things, it shields thermal stimuli.
What is the expected durability of an inlay?
The durability of an inlay is very long compared to normal fillings. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) states that ceramic inlays have a durability of at least 10 years. With gold inlays it is 10 – 15 years.
However, these are only average values. The restorations often last much longer. The durability of an inlay depends not only on the accuracy of fit and fit of the inlay, but also on the patient’s own oral hygiene.
The better the teeth are cared for, the longer the inlay will last. In general, statistics show that about 20% of inlays need to be replaced after about 15 years. The reasons for this are usually insufficient luting, caries underneath the inlay, fractures or cracks in the inlay.
