A dental inlay is a partial crown that is typically recommended as a solution for cavities that develop in the center of teeth between their cusps. A dental inlay allows the dentist to treat such cases of tooth decay without having to use a crown.
Installing a crown requires removing enamel from teeth, which permanently leaves them without their natural protection against acids in the mouth. Teeth that have been prepared for crowns will always need restorations to serve as artificial enamel.
Inlays provide a permanent solution for tooth decay that can last up to 20 years. The key to getting the most out of these restorations is practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding bad habits that can damage them like opening packages with the teeth, and staying away from foods that can damage the restoration.
Some of the foods and beverages patients should avoid after getting an inlay include:
Sticky foods should be avoided, especially when a person just had an inlay cemented to their tooth. These foods are sticky enough to pull an inlay off the tooth it covers, forcing an emergency trip to the dentist to have it re-cemented. Examples of sticky foods to avoid include taffy, chewing gum, and caramel.
Hard foods like nuts can damage inlays or lead to them becoming dislodged. The first 48 hours after getting an inlay is the most crucial period since the cement used to bond the restoration is yet to set. Patients should be careful when eating hard foods, and they should try chewing such foods with their molars, the strongest set of teeth in the body.
Patients with inlays should be careful when consuming crunchy foods like baby carrots since they can lead to inlays popping out. These foods require patients to chew them more than they have to chew other foods, increasing the risk of their restoration being damaged as they bite down on their meal. Examples of crunchy foods people with inlays should be careful with include cucumber skins, raw broccoli, and carrots.
Porcelain inlays are among the most popular types due to their shared properties with real teeth, like their natural white color and translucence. Porcelain is more resistant to stains and discoloration than natural teeth. However, patients still need to be selective about the things they regularly consume to avoid ruining the color of their restoration.
Examples of tannin-rich foods include pasta sauce, beets, and coffee. These foods and beverages should be consumed minimally. Rinsing your mouth with water or brushing after consuming them helps prevent stains from forming on your restoration.
Dental inlays are an excellent solution for anyone who has decay forming between the cusps of one or more teeth. Call or stop by our Fort Lauderdale clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbyjulia.com or call Smiles By Julia at (954) 271-8034 for an appointment in our Fort Lauderdale office.
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