Snow white teeth made from a special ceramic have the advantage that not even the shimmer of the metal core affects the translucancy of the tooth. Solid ceramics enable ceramic inlays to be produced for side teeth, which are so delicate and transparent that you can easily believe you are looking at a natural tooth. In aesthetic terms they are undoubtedly the best alternative to amalgam.
Unfortunately, beauty has its price, as is almost always the norm. The price is due to particularly high laboratory costs and the extremely time-consuming process for fitting the inlay. In contrast to gold inlays, solid ceramic is not cemented in but bonded. Generally up to 50 minutes are required per tooth to fit normal ceramic inlays (in comparison to 20 minutes at most for gold inlays). There are presumably dentists who will fit these fillings quicker and cheaper. Unfortunately, probably one or other of the stages will be omitted and therefore the inlay will not stick as strongly as required and will not seal at the edges as much as is possible and indeed necessary.
We follow the manufacturers directions to the letter, in order to provide the patient with the quality he or she expects. Of utmost importance is the use of a "rubber dam", which is a rubber membrane spread over the teeth to keep them dry, as the tooth and the ceramic inlay must be prepared for the bonding process in several, lengthy steps. During this procedure all surfaces must be completely dry, which is not possible merely by using cotton wool pads. We currently produce ceramic inlays according to the CELAY and EMPRESS 2 process. These processes enables both a sealed margin as well as a precise chewing surface and particularly good strength. In addition the material conforms to tooth enamel in terms of abrasion (rubbing, wear), so that damage to adjacent teeth due to abrasion is prevented.
Disadvantages: - very complicated bonding process Durability: - high, 20 years possible
Advantages: - perfect aesthetics (tooth colour)
- hardness similar to tooth enamel
- extremely long-lasting
- suitable for all sizes of defect
Gold is not only a timeless, elegant material but a tool. Dental technicians have mastered the precise processing of this metal. Therefore, gold is an optimal substance for tooth fillings and always worth the price.
For gold inlays, the dental laboratory produces the filling from high gold-bearing material and the dentist fits the inlay with tried and tested cement which has proved reliable for decades. A great advantage is when a laboratory is part of the dental practice, because each individual step of the process falls under the same quality norms and controls.
Gold inlays are very durable. Many last 15 or more years. In fact, even lasting up to 40 years is not unheard of! What is important, as with all inlays, is the high precision required in executing the whole process.
Gold inlays are produced with a chewing surface compatible with the opposing tooth and are polished. Gold enables the dentist to spread the filling in the patient's mouth to fit the natural tooth exactly. This is how a perfect seal is created between the inlay and the tooth, and bacteria have little chance of causing further damage. Furthermore, the sheen makes it difficult for plaque to stick to a gold inlay.
A disadvantage is that some people find the gold colour disturbing.
Disadvantages:
- gold colour
- larger "loss of tooth structure" Advantages:
- excellent precision possible
- extremely durable when fitted properly
- suitable for all sizes of tooth defect Durability: - high, up to 30 years
