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Dental Health (Expert Forum)
Crown vs. inlay - which is more durable?
Answered by
Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. - Dental
Questions in the Dental Health forum are answered by Dr. Jerome Tsang and Dr. Jerome Bogin. Topics covered include bridges, cavities, crowns, and x-rays.
Crown vs. inlay - which is more durable?
by ChezBeck, Aug 15, 2007 12:00AM
Hello, I currently have a cracked filling on a bottom molar (2nd to the last) that covers the inside as well as 3 sides of the tooth. My dentist recommends doing an inlay -but I've talked to another dentist who prefers crowns. Would you please go over the pros and cons of each treatment. - including which is the most durable? Also, my insurance does not cover the inlay and does cover the crown. Is the crown a more proven treatment? And finally, are there some other specific questions I should ask my dentist in order to make the best decision?
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Jerome Bogin, D.D.S. , Aug 15, 2007 12:00AM
, Aug 15, 2007 12:00AM
This is a good question. The decision is a clinical one.You will find that certain dentists are more comfortable doing crowns and there are others that are more conservative, would like to conserve as much tooth structure as possible and prefer to do onlays and inlays. I believe that a well made inlay can last a very long time without having to impinge on the gum tissue. Again it is a clinical call and you need to have sufficient tooth structure to warrant doing the inlay.I do not feel that the treatment should be dictated by the insurance companies. There is nothing wrong with a crown but it is less conservative.
Member Comments (2)
by mike1105, Aug 15, 2007 12:00AM
if most of the natural tooth structure is gone, you are probably better off with a crown, which covers the tooth entirely and protects it. the tooth may first need a "buildup" if the existing filling has come out, comes out during preparation of the tooth, or has decay around it. I do not like inlays personally. ONLAYS are much better in that they also cover the tooth, but i use gold, not composite or porcelain, which can break. Gold requires the least amount of tooth reduction, and in my opinion, when done well, last the lngest. -- they go "in" the tooth not "on" the tooth. By definition there is unprotected tooth structure and the tooth can crack if you bit into something hard enough. Inlays and onlays are difficult to do well, they require precise hands and a very good lab.
