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What is Involved in a Dental Inlay Prep?

Dental inlays are customized fillings that affect the chewing surfaces (or cusps) of the teeth. They are made from porcelain, composite resin, gold or ceramics and are applied by two different methods, direct or indirect.

  1. Direct vs Indirect

    • A direct inlay is completed in one appointment and the inlay is made in a specialized oven in the dental office. An indirect method requires a two-step appointment process and the inlay is made in a dental laboratory. The initial preparation for both methods is the same.

    Initial Preparation

    • For the direct or indirect inlay, the dentist will numb the affected tooth area with a local anesthetic (or nitrous oxide) in order to remove all decay. According to Richard V. Tucker, "After anesthetic has been administered, a rubber dam should be placed to give better visibility, tissue retraction, and ease of operation."

    Instruments

    • An instrument called a bur is used to remove decay, a double-ended off-angle chisel sculpts the desired angles and the external gingival bevel and margin trimmers are used to refine the tooth cusps. According to Richard V. Tucker, "When the tooth being prepared has sound occlusal enamel that has not been bruised or crazed, it may be justified to place little or no bevel."

    Direct Method

    • For direct inlays, your dentist will refine the tooth shape in order to mold and place a composite resin material into the affected area. This customized filling is then removed, placed in a specialized oven and hardened to fit precisely into your tooth.

    Indirect Method

    • In the first visit of an indirect inlay, your dentist will take an impression of the tooth after it has been cleaned and send the impression to a dental laboratory that will custom-make your inlay. Your tooth is then filled with a temporary filling material until the second visit, during which your custom filling is seated.

    Adjustments

    • After a direct or indirect inlay, you may need minor adjustments to ensure the evenness of your bite, to smooth out rough sections or to check the contacts on the cusps.

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