Gold inlay

Introduction

The treatment of a carious tooth can be done in different ways depending on the extent and depth of the defect. Small carious defects usually require only a simple tooth filling with the help of plastic filling materials (e.g. plastic), which are introduced into the cavity in a liquid state and then cured. In the case of extensive carious defects, this type of restoration is usually no longer possible, since in addition to sealing the tooth, the chewing function must also be ensured.

In most cases, the dentist in charge of treating large carious defects advises the production of a so-called inlay (synonym: inlay filling). An inlay is a form of dental prosthesis made in the dental laboratory, which can be permanently glued into the tooth. In addition to the treatment of carious defects, inlays also play a central role in the treatment of a dental defect caused by trauma.

In contrast to classical, plastic filling materials (plastic), an inlay is formed to fit exactly and then glued into the tooth to be treated. Precisely for this reason, inlays are generally many times more resilient than ordinary plastic fillings. In addition, an inlay filling is characterized by its long durability.

In dentistry, a basic distinction is made between gold, ceramic, plastic and titanium inlays. In addition, in some cases the production of a gold-ceramic mixture can be useful. In terms of expansion, a distinction is made between inlays that only replace one tooth surface and those that cover two or more sides.

A single-surface inlay is usually inserted into the occlusal surface of the affected tooth. Two-surface inlays span the occlusal surface and one side facing the adjacent tooth. If so much tooth substance is destroyed that the stability of the tooth cannot be ensured even by inserting an inlay, a partial crown (overlay or onlay) should be fabricated.

The gold inlay is now the most frequently used inlay filling. It is particularly suitable for the treatment of defects in the posterior region. Due to the stable and high-quality material and their exact fit, gold inlays usually have a particularly long durability. Since pure gold is generally too soft to effectively withstand the forces that occur during the chewing process, gold inlays are usually made with a platinum alloy. In this way, the gold inlay is able to withstand even strong chewing pressure.