A composite inlay is made of a very hard 'plastic', and generally is more forgiving in fit and abrasiveness. A ceramic inlay has real advantages if someone is allergic or sensitive to petrochemicals. However, they are very hard, and may cause abrasion of the opposing teeth.
Ceramic inlays are made from a new category of restorative material, which provides clinical results that are superior to all currently available composite alternatives. This is our material of choice at this present time, although we continuously monitor all new materials that come on to the market.
Those made of a castable glass have now superseded these crowns. These have the added advantage that they can be bonded to the underlying tooth, providing a much stronger unit than merely 'gluing' a crown to a tooth.
The views expressed on this website are our own personal views and not necessarily shared by the rest of the dental profession.