Durability of a ceramic inlay

The dentist has a 2-year warranty. With good care the inlay lasts much longer on average. The durability depends on many factors.

On the one hand, there are different ceramics with different ingredients and therefore different properties. Harder ceramics are more stable, are not sanded down, but can break more easily if the inlay is under tension between the neighboring teeth, for example.
A softer ceramic inlay may break less quickly, but may need to be replaced earlier because it is worn out.
Once the ceramic is cracked or cracked, it must be repaired. This is usually easier with veneer crowns.
In the case of an all-ceramic inlay, it makes more sense to produce a new one that fits the defect on the tooth exactly.
A ceramic inlay is a demanding job for both the dentist and the technician. All the steps in the process must be carried out exactly, otherwise the “glue” will come off early. The technician must design the inlay to fit the defect exactly to avoid possible tensions.
The better the inlay is cared for, the longer it will last. Dental care is very important for ceramic restorations because it is precisely at the transition between the ceramic and the tooth that the adhesive washes out over time and forms an entry point for caries bacteria. As soon as the tooth is decayed, the inlay must also be removed and renewed.
If all factors are right, a ceramic inlay can last not only 10-15 years but also for the rest of its life.

Ceramic inlay vs. gold inlay – What is the better material?

The most striking difference between a ceramic and gold inlay is the color. The ceramic is tooth-colored, gold catches the eye even of a layman.
The advantage of ceramics is that an inlay can be designed in any possible brightness. By using different colored ceramics or by painting it is possible to make the inlay look as real as possible.
The inlay is virtually invisible. Aesthetically, the ceramic outweighs the gold inlay.
In contrast, gold also has some advantages over ceramics. Gold, like all metals, is created in such a way that no becteries can accumulate.
This means that bacteria do not like to settle on the inlay. In case of poorer oral hygiene, or older people, a gold inlay is a good choice, since gold is sometimes forgiving for small brushing mistakes. However, young people or people with good oral hygiene should not be discouraged from choosing a gold inlay, as the amount of healthy tooth substance that has to be removed is much less than with ceramics.
Like glass or porcelain, ceramic must have a certain thickness of 1-1.5 mm, otherwise it will break.
For gold, a layer thickness of 0.3 mm or less is sufficient. So if the defect is relatively small, it would be unfavorable to remove healthy tooth substance just to be able to insert a ceramic inlay.
There is no big difference in price at the moment. The price of a gold inlay varies depending on the price of gold. Ceramic is a little cheaper, but since less tooth substance has to be replaced with a gold inlay, less gram gold is needed.
Dentures
Dental prosthesis
Dental implant
Plastic tooth filling
Amalgam filling
Implantology
Tooth filling cement

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