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.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

by | Jun 24, 2024 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Treatment, New Dental Technology

For decades, traditional approaches to restoring damaged teeth typically removed significant portions of healthy tooth structure. While this was effective, it was also quite invasive, even for minor imperfections. Thankfully, digital dentistry offers a much gentler solution with conservative, minimally invasive restoration techniques.

Modern approaches in conservative dentistry prioritise preserving your natural tooth material, minimising discomfort, and ensuring long-term oral health. Every patient who needs a restorative treatment desires a lasting solution that does not needlessly remove healthy tooth material. Advanced techniques and materials meet this goal, allowing dentists to achieve beautiful, lasting results with minimal intervention, thereby promoting the health of every tooth.

What makes restorative solutions conservative?

Conservative restorative treatments prioritise saving the largest possible amount of your natural tooth material by using techniques that minimise the need for drilling, cutting or needles. This minimally invasive approach results in less discomfort, and retains more of your healthy tooth structure, promoting a stronger and longer-lasting smile.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Why choose conservative restorations?

Among the many compelling reasons to go for a conservative approach to restoring your teeth, these stand out:

Strength and longevity

Traditional restorative methods often require removing significant healthy tooth structure. This weakens the tooth, making it more susceptible to fractures and potentially needing further interventions in the future.

Conservative restorations prioritise maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible. Less removal or alteration translates to a stronger foundation for the restoration and the tooth itself. This approach enhances the tooth’s long-term durability and reduces the risk of future complications.

What’s more, preserving more tooth structure keeps more options open for potential future dentistry needs. If you need more treatment down the track, having a stronger, less compromised tooth provides a more favourable foundation for successful treatment.

Enhanced oral health

Your natural tooth structure is the bedrock of a healthy smile. The more you keep, the stronger your natural defence against decay and infection. Conservative dentistry prioritises preserving this vital foundation by minimising the removal of healthy tooth tissue during restorations. This not only reduces discomfort but also promotes the long-term health of your teeth and gums.

By retaining more natural tooth structure, prepless restorations can significantly decrease the need for more invasive procedures like root canals or extractions in the future. This translates to a healthier mouth and potentially fewer dental interventions throughout your life.

Comfort and efficiency

Dental anxiety is a common concern for patients, often around fear of pain or discomfort during procedures. Conservative restorations typically involve less drilling and manipulation of the tooth, resulting in a more comfortable experience.

Furthermore, modern practices have largely replaced traditional putty impressions with digital intraoral scanning. This eliminates the messy and sometimes gag-inducing impression process, further enhancing patient comfort. Additionally, digital scans provide a highly accurate representation of your teeth, leading to a better fit for your restoration and potentially reducing the need for adjustments.

Since less tooth structure is affected, recovery time after a conservative restoration is often quicker compared to traditional methods. This translates to less downtime and a faster return to normal activities.

Natural aesthetics

Modern dental materials and techniques allow dentists to create restorations that so closely match the natural appearance of teeth that they are indistinguishable. Materials such as composite resin and porcelain can be custom-matched to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, ensuring your results look perfectly harmonious.

Conservative restorations go beyond just restoring your tooth’s functionality, and can even enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Modern conservative dentistry addresses decay or damage while preserving your teeth’s original contours and characteristics to give your smile a beautifully appealing natural look and feel.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Minimally-invasive restoration options

Prepless porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are an outstanding option for enhancing the aesthetics of your front teeth. These custom-made shells are made from premium-quality ceramic and meticulously designed to match the natural colour and translucency of your surrounding teeth. Veneers are bonded directly to the front surface of the tooth, effectively concealing a variety of cosmetic concerns:

  • Chips or cracks in the tooth enamel
  • Discolouration that teeth whitening treatments cannot address
  • Gaps between teeth for a more uniform appearance
  • Mild misalignment for a straighter-looking smile

Modern advancements have revolutionised veneer fabrication and materials. Veneers can now be incredibly thin and strong, often requiring minimal to no preparation of the underlying tooth structure. This translates to a comfortable and minimally invasive procedure, allowing you to achieve a perfect smile efficiently.

Conservative onlays and inlays

Onlays and inlays are specifically designed to repair damage to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. These highly-effective custom-made ceramic restorations are crafted to perfectly match the shape and function of the affected area. Unlike traditional crowns, which require the removal of significant healthy tooth structure, onlays and inlays offer a substantial advantage. They are bonded directly to the remaining healthy tooth, preserving its integrity and strength.

This approach ensures a durable, long-lasting restoration that functions seamlessly while minimising the impact on your natural tooth. In essence, onlays and inlays prioritise maintaining your natural bite and smile while effectively addressing damage.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

Digital dentistry

Digital dentistry offers exciting new technologies that have opened the door to many excellent conservative treatments. Here’s how some key technologies make a difference:

Digital impressions: No more unpleasant putty impressions! Instead, dentists use a comfortable wand-like intraoral scanner to capture highly accurate 3D models of your teeth. This precise information means we can design fine-tuned restorations that perfectly match your unique tooth structure, minimising the need to remove healthy tooth material.

Virtual smile design: Collaboration is the hallmark of this innovative approach, which lets you work with your dentist to design your ideal smile virtually. Digital tools are used to create visually detailed digital models of your teeth, as they are now and as they can be post-treatment The digital models of your potential restoration can be freely viewed in high resolution from any angle, allowing you to tangibly understand your expected outcomes. This enables easy communication about your desires and expectations, with results of adjustments shown in real time. This collaborative process ensures you’re happy with the planned outcome before any treatment begins, which promotes a more conservative approach by eliminating most adjustments post-treatment.

3D printing: High quality 3D printing has transformed how dentists create restorations. Based on your designed 3D model, custom veneers, onlays and inlays, crowns and other restorations can be 3D printed with biosafe materials. These restorations offer exceptional precision and fit your teeth perfectly, often eliminating the need for further adjustments and minimising tooth removal. Additionally, compared to traditional methods, 3D printing has reduced treatment times and lowered costs for many treatments, making better dental care widely accessible.

The future of conservative restorations

With digital dentistry forming the foundation of our most effective and innovative conservative restorations, the future promises even more exciting developments. Researchers are constantly making new materials and techniques available to further minimise tooth removal while maximising the strength, longevity and aesthetics of restorations.

3D printing and other digital tools will undoubtedly continue to play a major role in this advancement. Imagine custom restorations designed with unparalleled precision, crafted from biocompatible materials boasting superior strength, and bonded seamlessly to your teeth – all with minimal intervention. The future here, and it is getting better every day!

Less is more

When it comes to dental restorations, the old adage “less is more” perfectly captures the essence of conservative dentistry. This modern approach prioritises preserving your natural tooth structure, keeping your comfort levels as high as possible during treatment, and achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. It’s a win-win for patients seeking a pleasant dental care experience and dentists striving for optimal dental health for their patients.

Keep our teeth for life with minimally invasive restorations

The range of minimally invasive restoration options at our disposal continues to expand with exciting advancements in digital dentistry. Your healthiest smile is already more accessible than ever, thanks to conservative restorations. So, invest a little time talking with your dentist about your best treatment options. It’s your time to thrive!