Under ceramic fillings, we understand ceramic inlays (a solution similar to composite fillings, but of higher quality), ceramic onlays (ceramic fillings that also include the top of the tooth), and partial or dental crowns. The difference between an onlay and a partial crown is that the crown always involves at least one lateral side and the onlay does not.
All composite fillings change over time, loosen at the joints, crack, change color, and sometimes fall out, which is a consequence of their composition and manufacturing process. During the lightening of the composite filling with a lamp, i.e., its hardening, contraction of the filling occurs and the joint between the filling and the tooth loosens, and the larger the filling (i.e., the larger the cavity on the tooth), the higher the percentage of shrinking of the future filling.
Ceramic and advantages of installation
Since the ceramic filling is non-composite, i.e., it is obtained by cutting out a homogeneous piece of ceramic, the possibility of shrinking simply does not exist. At first glance, the white filling has the advantage of being soft and can perfectly fill the cavity, but since the ceramic filling is made in the CEREC machine based on computer scanning of the tooth, now a solid filling can perfectly cover the cavity and will not leave even a tenth of a millimeter between the tooth and the filling, while this minimal space between the tooth and the filling is filled by cementing.
For the health of the tooth, the functionality of the filling and aesthetics, it is very good that the required amount of cement is minimal, and all this is a consequence of CAD/CAM technology, which allows us to three-dimensionally scan the tooth and leave it to the machine to make the filling exactly according to the dimensions obtained by scanning.
It is evident that ceramic fillings are the best solution that modern dentistry knows when it comes to restoring natural teeth. By using ceramic fillings, we can fully reconstruct a tooth that is destroyed by caries, fracture, or old amalgam black filling, and in a way that maximally saves the tooth, so without scraping.
What is the difference between a composite filling and an inlay?
Both the composite filling and the inlay are types of aesthetic fillings, but they differ in the type of material from which they are made and the way they are made.
Composite fillings (white fillings) are made directly (immediately in the office) and are the most common dental procedure. They have almost completely displaced amalgam (dark, gray, silver fillings) from use. They bind micro mechanically and chemically to hard dental tissues, so minimal removal of carious altered dental tissue is needed for their production. With an adequate choice of color and type of composite material, and by mimicking the natural morphological shape of each tooth, it is possible to achieve a perfect aesthetic and functional result.
Unlike direct composite filling, the inlay is made of ceramic (ceramic filling) and its manufacture is indicated for somewhat extensive damage to the posterior teeth (premolars, molars). It is an ideal solution when we want to qualitatively, minimally invasively increase the bite. The inlay is made indirectly in a dental laboratory based on an impression taken in the office. The finished inlay is returned to the office, where we cement it into the cavity of the tooth. Because of the quality of the material from which it is made, it is functionally and aesthetically superior to the composite filling. In addition to ceramics, the inlay can also be made indirectly in a dental laboratory from gold and composite material.
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