Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

by | Oct 24, 2024 | Cosmetic Dentistry, New Dental Technology, Oral Conditions and Issues

Stronger smiles faster with 3D printed inlays and onlays

You might be familiar with dentistry history, in which fixing moderately damaged teeth usually meant removing a lot of healthy tooth structures to make room for a crown. This approach, while effective, wasn’t ideal for preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. In some clinics and certain cases, that older approach continues to be used, but there’s a better restoration method now available in modern clinics: 3D printed inlays and onlays. These highly precise restorations fit into or onto the damaged part of the tooth, allowing for a more conservative approach that saves more of your natural tooth.

With the introduction of digital dentistry and 3D printing, inlays and onlays have become even more efficient and precise. This technology allows dentists to create custom-fit restorations that perfectly match your tooth’s unique shape and structure, resulting in a faster, stronger, and more natural-looking smile.

What are inlays and onlays?

Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing
Inlays and onlays—Faster, stronger smile with 3D printing

Inlays and onlays are tooth restorations used to repair teeth with moderate damage, such as large cavities, cracks, or fractures. Unlike crowns, which completely cover the tooth, inlays and onlays are more conservative. Here’s a breakdown of their key features:

Function: Inlays resemble fillings but are more substantial and custom-crafted to fit precisely within the tooth’s cusp (pointed chewing surface). Onlays, on the other hand, cover a larger portion of the tooth structure, extending beyond the cusp onto one or more sides.

Material: Inlays and onlays are typically made from strong, durable materials like porcelain or composite resin. These materials are chosen for their ability to withstand chewing forces and resist wear and tear.

Benefits: There are several advantages to choosing inlays and onlays over traditional restorations:

Preservation of tooth structure: By only replacing the damaged portion of the tooth, inlays and onlays conserve more of the natural tooth structure. This can benefit the long-term health of the tooth and surrounding bone.

Strength and longevity: The materials used in inlays and onlays are highly durable and can last for many years with proper care.

Improved aesthetics: Inlays and onlays are custom-designed to match the colour and texture of your surrounding teeth, resulting in a natural and seamless appearance.

What’s good about 3D printed restorations?

Dental Restoration

Faster turnarounds and streamlined visits

Say goodbye to weeks of waiting! Traditional inlays and onlays involve sending impressions to a lab, leading to multiple appointments. 3D printing eliminates this wait. Dentists can now use digital scans and design software to create precise restorations right in their offices. This can potentially condense the entire process into a single visit, saving you valuable time and reducing the number of trips to the dentist.

Enhanced precision and potential for longer lifespan

3D printing boasts incredible accuracy, resulting in inlays and onlays that fit your teeth flawlessly. This precise fit minimises the risk of future problems like leakage or sensitivity, potentially leading to a longer lifespan for your restoration. Additionally, the improved fit can translate to a more comfortable chewing experience.

Convenience and comfort you can smile about

Patients choosing 3D-printed inlays and onlays benefit from a more convenient treatment journey. Fewer appointments are typically needed compared to traditional methods. Plus, ditching the uncomfortable physical impressions often used in traditional techniques translates to a more pleasant experience overall.

Natural look, long-lasting results

3D printed restorations are custom-made to perfectly match your surrounding teeth, ensuring a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance. These restorations are not just beautiful, they’re built to last. The high-quality materials used in 3D printing contribute to the durability of the inlays and onlays, allowing you to enjoy a confident smile for years to come.

How 3D printed inlays and onlays are created

Creating 3D-printed inlays and onlays uses advanced digital dentistry technology to achieve precise and efficient dental restorations. Here’s how the process works:

Digital X-rays:

For optimal treatment planning, dentists usually rely on high-resolution digital X-rays. These detailed images allow them to see your tooth’s internal structure clearly, revealing any decay, fractures, or hidden problems. This information is crucial for creating a customised restoration plan that minimises tooth removal and ensures the best coverage for your tooth.

Intraoral scanning:

This handheld camera takes a well-defined, precise 3D digital impression of your prepared tooth and the surrounding area. It eliminates the need for messy traditional impressions and provides an accurate model for designing restorations.

3D printed Inlays and onlays CAD Software

Smile designing:

Using advanced smile modelling software like Medit CliniCAD or exocad, your dentist virtually designs the 3D model of your restorations. This software allows for precise adjustments to ensure a perfect fit within the prepared cavity. For the best possible outcome, factors like gap size and restoration thickness are tailored to your unique needs, promoting strength, aesthetics, and bite function.

3D printing:

Following the design of your ideal smile, your dentist will use biocompatible resin to 3D print your custom inlay or onlay. These resins, often ceramic-filled, are incredibly strong and designed to mimic your teeth’s natural look and feel. This translates to long-lasting restorations that blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, creating a natural and beautiful smile.

Support removal and polishing:

The temporary support structures used during printing will be removed using clippers or tweezers. Precise removal techniques ensure a smooth surface for the following polishing step. Once removed, the restorations are then polished to achieve a smooth, natural-looking surface that reflects light like your surrounding teeth.

Cleaning:

This phase typically involves an initial wash in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove any residue, followed by alcohol spraying and meticulous cleaning with a micro brush. Compressed air drying ensures no moisture remains, which could impact the final result.

Post-curing in glycerine:

Your dentist may apply a thin layer of glycerine to prevent moisture absorption before final curing. Glycerine eliminates oxygen, allowing the resin to fully cure and reach its optimal strength.

Final curing:

Your restoration is placed inside a UV curing unit for final hardening, ensuring the inlay or onlay achieves maximum strength and durability.

3D printed Inlays and onlays

Characterising:

For exceptional aesthetics, pigments, stains, and textures can be applied to perfectly match the colour and surface characteristics of your natural teeth. UV light is used to ensure proper bonding and curing of the glaze and coats.

Mock-up wax-up:

A replica of your prepared tooth is used to verify the fit and function of the completed inlay or onlay. This mock-up step ensures the restoration integrates seamlessly into your mouth and functions properly before actual bonding.

Might 3D-printed inlays and onlays be right for you?

If you have a moderately damaged tooth that needs more than a simple filling but doesn’t require a full crown, 3D-printed inlays and onlays could be a suitable option. These restorations are designed to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Here are some factors to consider:

The extent of damage: Inlays and onlays are ideal for teeth with moderate damage. If the damage is too extensive, a full crown might be necessary.

Preservation of tooth structure: Inlays and onlays are less invasive than crowns, meaning more of your natural tooth can be preserved.

Precision and fit: 3D-printed inlays and onlays offer high precision and a perfect fit, which can enhance the longevity and effectiveness of the restoration.

Consult your dentist: Your dentist will evaluate the damage’s extent and overall oral health to determine if inlays or onlays are the best option for you.

Save more of your smile to live your best life

3D printing is rapidly evolving in dentistry, offering exciting possibilities that give you better results and greater freedom. Efficient, personalised, and durable restorations are available faster than ever before! As this technology continues to advance, 3D-printed inlays and onlays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Your outstanding results are just waiting to be seen!

Consult with your dentist to discuss your specific needs so you can experience the benefits of these cutting-edge restorations for yourself.

How our oral health affects our overall wellbeing

How our oral health affects our overall wellbeing

by | Oct 4, 2024 | News and Research, Oral Links to General Health, Oral Pathogen & Microbiome, Risk Factors

How our oral health could make or break us

Our bodies function as complex, interconnected systems, where each part influences the others. Close attention to how oral health impacts chronic diseases has resulted in increasingly clear research findings. More and more studies now demonstrate the connection between the condition of our mouths and our general health. You may have even seen this link highlighted in the recent Australian Dental Association’s statement on oral and systemic disease. Oral health is now understood to impact the entire body, from your heart and your metabolism, right through to the health of your brain.

Poor oral health could even be considered as increasing one’s risk of an early death. Given it is associated with an increase in one’s likelihood of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, it really cannot be neglected. Evidence suggests it’s a two-way street, since poor oral health can exacerbate chronic diseases, while chronic diseases can increase the risk of dental problems. Just like an airplane needs both its wings to soar, we rely on excellent oral and overall health for a long and happy life.

What’s the oral-systemic connection?

There are three ways in which oral health connects to chronic diseases. Direct impacts, indirect impacts, and shared risk factors each reveal different ways the condition of one’s mouth is closely linked to their overall health.

Direct impact

This occurs when chronic illnesses or their treatments directly influence oral health, and vice versa. For instance, diabetes, especially when poorly controlled, can lead to high blood sugar levels, creating an environment that promotes gum inflammation (periodontitis). This is because excess sugar in the blood can feed harmful bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk of infection and gum disease. On the flip side, untreated gum disease leads to chronic inflammation that can spread throughout the body. This systemic inflammation makes it harder for the body to respond to insulin, exacerbating diabetes and leading to a vicious cycle of worsening oral and overall health.

Indirect impact

Oral health and chronic diseases can also affect one another indirectly through treatments, medications, and lifestyle factors. Many people with chronic conditions take medications, but these can have unintended side effects on oral health. For example, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and certain cancer treatments can cause dry mouth (xerostomia). When saliva production decreases, there’s less natural protection against harmful bacteria, leading to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.

Moreover, oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or missing teeth can make it difficult to chew, which may limit someone’s ability to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Poor nutrition can further worsen chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or digestive disorders, creating a negative feedback loop where one problem worsens the other.

Shared risk factors

Many oral health issues and chronic diseases share common lifestyle habits and risk factors that can harm both areas. Smoking is a well-known cause of gum disease and tooth loss, but it’s also a major risk factor for chronic illnesses like heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. Smokers are more likely to have inflamed gums, increased plaque buildup, and a weakened immune response, which makes it harder for the body to fight infections. Quitting smoking can significantly improve both oral health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

A diet high in sugar contributes to tooth decay and gum disease, as well as being a key factor in the development of conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Cutting down on sugar can improve your oral health and overall well-being, reducing your chances of developing chronic diseases. Likewise, a nutrient-rich diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can support healthy teeth and gums while reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

Is your oral microbiome your friend or foe?

Your oral microbiome is the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that naturally make their home in the various parts of your mouth. Under normal conditions, these microbes coexist harmoniously, playing a role in maintaining oral health by aiding digestion and protecting against harmful pathogens.

However, when the balance of these microbes is disrupted—whether through poor oral hygiene, diet, or other factors—it leads to a state called dysbiosis. This imbalance can result in an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that cause inflammation and infection, such as gum disease (periodontitis), and can weaken the body’s ability to fight off other health threats.

Dysbiosis in the mouth doesn’t just stay localised—it can have far-reaching effects on overall health. Research has increasingly linked oral microbial imbalances to serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

oral microbiome

Which common chronic diseases are linked to oral health?

Heart disease: Gum disease (periodontal disease) triggers inflammation, allowing harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. Conversely, heart disease can compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to gum infections.

Diabetes: There is a two-way relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Diabetes weakens the body’s ability to fight infections, which can worsen gum disease. In turn, the chronic inflammation from gum disease makes it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar, complicating diabetes management.

Alzheimer’s disease: Emerging research indicates a potential link between chronic gum infections and Alzheimer’s disease. The inflammatory response caused by gum disease may contribute to cognitive decline, though this connection is still under investigation.

Respiratory illness: Poor oral hygiene allows harmful bacteria from the mouth to be inhaled into the lungs, potentially leading to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, especially in those with weakened immune systems.

Mental health: Chronic dental pain and discomfort can significantly impact mental health, contributing to conditions like anxiety and depression. Additionally, concerns about bad breath, tooth appearance, or other oral health issues can negatively affect self-esteem and social interactions.

Obesity: Obesity is associated with increased systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate gum disease. Additionally, poor dietary habits linked to obesity, such as high sugar consumption, contribute to oral health issues like tooth decay and gum inflammation.

Cancer: There is evidence to suggest a link between poor oral health and certain types of cancer, particularly oral cancers like squamous cell carcinoma. Risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic gum inflammation play significant roles in this connection.

diabetes

What’s the mechanism of the impact?

Hormone production: Inflammation in the mouth can interfere with the production of essential hormones, including enzymes like salivary amylase, which aid in digestion. This disruption may impair the body’s ability to properly break down food and absorb nutrients, impacting overall health.

Metabolic syndrome: Chronic inflammation from gum disease can exacerbate insulin resistance, a key factor in metabolic syndrome. This condition involves a combination of health issues, such as high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Gut microbiome: The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in influencing the balance of bacteria in the gut. Maintaining a healthy oral environment can support gut health, potentially lowering the risk of metabolic conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes by preventing harmful bacteria from disrupting gut flora.

Immune system: Poor oral health can lead to chronic inflammation, which places ongoing stress on the immune system. This weakened immune response can make the body more vulnerable to infections and systemic health problems beyond the mouth.

Simple steps to impeccable oral health

Maintaining outstanding oral health can significantly improve your overall health and quality of life. It’s worth the effort!

Brush and floss daily: Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and floss once daily to remove plaque and bacteria between teeth, preventing gum disease and tooth decay.

Regular dental checkups: Schedule routine dental visits every six months to catch and address issues early, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral infections, before they worsen.

Eat a balanced diet: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit sugary foods and drinks, which can fuel the growth of harmful bacteria and lead to cavities and gum problems.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, while staying hydrated supports saliva production, which is essential for maintaining a healthy oral environment.

Eat a balanced diet

Use fluoride: Incorporate fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash into your oral care routine. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancers. Quitting smoking is a win-win: it benefits your oral health and your overall physical health.

Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can stimulate saliva production. This helps neutralise acids and wash away food particles, protecting your teeth between brushings.

Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol can dry out the mouth and erode enamel, increasing the risk of gum disease and oral infections. Moderating alcohol intake helps protect both your mouth and body.

Incorporating these habits can help protect your smile and support your overall health.

Your healthy smile makes for a healthier you

Caring for your oral health goes so much further than giving you a beautiful smile—it’s a truly valuable commitment to your overall well-being. It’s an essential part of proper self-care that simply can’t be neglected. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are simple practices, yet they can protect your teeth, nurture your body, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. If living a long and fulfilling life is important to you, then a great oral health routine is well worth the effort.

When you prioritise your oral health, you invest in your confidence, vitality, and peace of mind for life. So, keep smiling, cherish each moment, and take pride in your healthy smile which underpins your bright future!