Aftercare
The gold inlay is normally fully resilient within a short time after insertion. To avoid irritations and minimize the risks of an inlay filling, however, it is advisable to observe a few basic rules within the first hours after the gold inlay has been glued in. Ideally, no food should be consumed within the first three to four hours.
Also the consumption of sugary drinks must be avoided for a short period of time after the dental treatment. This is the only way to ensure an exact fit and an optimal marginal fit. Excessive pressure applied to the gold inlay during the first few hours could shift its position within the cavity and have a negative influence on the interaction between the inlay and natural tooth substance.
This can lead to premature loss of the gold inlay. Furthermore, there is a risk that food residues could settle in the not yet fully cured adhesive and serve as a breeding ground for bacterial pathogens. This can result in the formation of new carious defects below the gold inlay (secondary caries).
In addition, patients who have been treated with an inlay filling should have regular check-ups to check the fit and marginal seal of the inlay. Furthermore, dentures with a gold inlay require a particularly high degree of care.In addition to the usual tooth cleaning with a toothbrush, the interdental spaces should also be completely cleaned at least once a day. Dental floss or interdental brushes (interdental space brushes) are particularly suitable for long-term protection of the tooth substance in the area of the gold inlay.
What should you do if the gold inlay has fallen out?
If the gold inlay has fallen out, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. You should keep the inlay well and bring it to the dentist. If an inlay falls out, this usually means that there is a defect such as a caries underneath and the adhesive effect is lost.
It is also possible that a side wall has broken off. This can usually be felt with the tongue. If there is a caries under the inlay, it must be removed and in most cases a new inlay must be created.
If the caries has already penetrated to the dental nerve, the tooth must be root canal treated. Often the tooth in question is very sensitive to heat and cold. This is a sign of caries.
If the inlay has fallen out, a dentist should always be consulted quickly to find the cause of the loss of adhesion. If you have swallowed an inlay, you do not need to worry. In almost all cases the inlay leaves the body naturally after 2-3 days.
The gold inlay could even be completely disinfected and put back into the mouth. Whether one makes this decision and goes in search of the inlay is at one’s own discretion. However, the creation of a new gold inlay costs about 450 – 700€ at the dentist.
Sticking in the old inlay costs a maximum of 50€. However, it must first be clarified whether this is possible at all. If you want to be absolutely sure that the inlay has left the body, this can be proven by X-ray.
