Page 36 - Amazing Smiles

CHAPTER THREE figure 34

As mentioned earlier, bonded, composite
restorations were the first cosmetic restorations
performed in modern cosmetic dentistry. They
are routinely used to add contour to teeth to
correct small spaces, or to fill small cavities caused
by decay. Sometimes, the hole left in the tooth by
decay is very large. Other times, large, dark, gray,
old silver fillings must be replaced. The resulting
holes left on these teeth are much too large for
bonded, composite restorations. The bonded,
composite restorations are simply not strong
enough to withstand the chewing forces to which
the teeth will be subjected. Yet there is enough
healthy tooth structure left so that a full crown
does not have to be placed on the tooth. The
restoration of choice for this situation is the
“inlay.”

Originally, inlays were fabricated from solid
gold. However, our cosmetically conscious society
demanded more attractive restorations. The result
was the development of the composite inlay,
porcelain inlay, and porcelain-fused-to-gold inlay.
Porcelain inlays although attractive have a high
fracture rate. Composite inlays are more resilient
and are commonly used today. They are fabricated
in the dental lab out of a very aesthetic tooth-col-
ored material. Once sent back to the dentist they
are permanently cemented into large cavities pre-
pared in teeth, providing strong and lifelike
restorations results that can last several decades.
(figure 34)

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