Why Would I Need A Dental Filling Or A Dental Inlay? 

Dental fillings and dental inlays are both used to treat tooth decay by filling cavities in the teeth. Tooth decay has a variety of causes, such as excessive sugar consumption, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Tooth decay normally affects all of your teeth, but can affect one area of your mouth more severely, meaning you may have just one cavity or several. 

Some signs that you have a cavity and need a dental filling include: 

• Pain – especially when eating foods
• Sensitivity – especially to sugar, hot, cold, or in specific teeth
• A rough patch, dark spot, fracture or hole in your tooth
• Bad breath or a persistent bad taste in your mouth

Sometimes you can have a cavity without any of these symptoms, which is why regular dental check ups are important. 

Not everyone will need a filling or an inlay – only people who have cavities need dental fillings. If you take good care of your teeth and practice good oral hygiene habits, you can minimize the need for fillings. 

It’s important to get a check up as soon as you notice any signs of tooth decay, and get a dental filling as soon as possible if your dentist recommends it, otherwise the decay may worsen and eventually lead to needing more extensive treatment such as root canal. 

What Is A Dental Filling? 

A dental filling is a common dental procedure used to treat tooth decay that all general dentists will have experience in performing – meaning most fillings can be done in one visit with very little wait time. 

During a filling, your dentist or dental therapist will clean away all of the damaged tooth, leaving behind as much of the healthy tooth as possible. They will then fit a filling to replace the missing portion of the tooth using your chosen material.  

Fillings come in a wide range of materials. Dental fillings can be made out of amalgam, composite, or glass-ionomer.  

• • Amalgam dental fillings are made from a metal alloy and liquid mercury. They used to be very common due to their strength and durability, making them excellent for back teeth. However, they are becoming banned from most Western Countries. Amalgam fillings are not suitable for children and pregnant women due to the mercury content. 
  • Composite dental fillings are made with resin. They’re discreet and can be colour matched to blend seamlessly with your tooth for a natural appearance. Composite fillings are used for more visible teeth. 
  • Glass-ionomer dental fillings are made from alumina, silica, and calcium. They contain fluoride to help promote healing, though they are weaker than composite or amalgam. Like composite, glass-ionomer can be made to match your natural smile. 
  • Platinum Composite dental fillings are our highest quality material, made from the same material that we use for our signature Nano-Hybrid composite bonding procedures, promising superior strength and a perfect match to your teeth. 

What Is A Dental Inlay? 

A dental inlay is a more durable alternative to a dental filling. They’re stronger than a filling, able to withstand stress, and are unlikely to chip or crack – making them a great alternative for people who want a long term solution to a cavity. 

Dental inlays are pre-moulded, bespoke made for each individual patient at our dental laboratory to match the shape of the cavity being filled. Using our digital dentistry technology we can ensure a perfect fit for improved comfort and durability, as well as a better aesthetic appearance and longer lasting results. 

A dental inlay takes longer to fit than a traditional filling, and requires the expertise of a skilled dentist. 

During dental inlay treatment, a dentist will clear away all of the damaged portions of the tooth, just like a filling. They will then take a scan of the cavity, allowing your inlay to be made to match your tooth perfectly. They will then fit a temporary filling to protect your tooth from damage whilst our luxury dental lab creates your inlay from your chosen material. Once it’s ready, the dentist will fit your inlay, and your treatment is complete. 

Dental inlays can be made from a variety of materials: 

• Non-precious metal dental inlays are made from a metal alloy, making them strong and durable. 

• Precious metal dental inlays are made with a combination of a metal alloy and a precious metal such as a white toned silver or dental gold. They are highly durable and last years with proper care, making them an excellent choice for posterior teeth (teeth at the back of the mouth).

• Gold quality dental inlays don’t actually look gold! They are made from porcelain with a substructure, giving you the strength with the high quality appearance of porcelain, making these dental inlays perfect for more visible teeth.
• Luxe quality dental inlays are our highest quality, equivalent to Zirconia or E-max quality porcelain. Handcrafted just for you at our in-house dental lab, these dental inlays have a compressed porcelain substructure, making them extremely strong. Using layers of porcelain, these dental inlays mimic the shade variation of natural teeth for a seamless appearance. 

How Much Do Dental Fillings/ Dental Inlays Cost? 

The prices of dental fillings and dental inlays vary based on the material used. Higher quality materials cost more to manufacture, and cost more as a result. Dental inlays are more expensive than dental fillings, as they require a highly skilled dentist to perform the treatment and a dental laboratory to create the inlay.