When repairing a cavity, an inlay can restore your tooth to shape and function in a more durable manner than a traditional filling, while also mimicking a tooth’s natural shade. An inlay is typically made of ceramic, composite resin, or a combination of both. With a CAD/CAM inlay, your doctor uses state of the art technology to image your tooth in 3D, which feeds into a computer to aid in designing the restoration. This technology makes it possible for your doctor to complete your inlay in a single appointment. During the first step, your doctor will remove the decayed portion of the tooth, leaving an area that will be replaced with the inlay. Next, the prepared tooth is scanned, and creation of the inlay begins. Once the inlay is ready, your doctor will make final adjustments and bond it into place. Since it has been expertly crafted using 3D imagery and digital fabrication, the final restoration will generally last longer than a large filling. Once completed, your tooth is free of decay and restored to its natural strength and appearance.
