A pinlay is a metal post with a tooth core, cast as one piece in the dental laboratory, which is cemented into the root canal and carries a crown. It is made over two visits to the clinic and provides good retention of the core.
How is a tooth core built up on a post?
After the post has been placed in the root canal, only its retentive part lies above the gum of the tooth. A tooth build-up is made around it, which serves to carry a crown. It is built from various materials – amalgam (the strongest build-ups), photopolymer, glass ionomer cement.
The material is applied with special instruments in layers or in a single dose. Depending on its type (light-cured or self-curing), different kinds of ring matrices (transparent or opaque) can be used.
After the build-up is made, it is prepared to the correct shape and the making of a crown begins. This is the cheapest, easiest and quickest way to build up a tooth, but it has one significant drawback: the weak point is the connection between the metal post and the material chosen for the part above the gum.
What is a pinlay?
This drawback is avoided by making the post and the tooth build-up as one piece. The root post and the build-up above the gum are cast together, connected, in the dental laboratory – the so-called pinlay.
How is a pinlay made?
- A canal for the post is drilled in the root of the tooth.
- A suitable impression is taken, with a plastic pattern of the post placed in the root canal.
- The impression is taken to the dental laboratory, where the dental technician casts a plaster model that reproduces the situation in the mouth.
- On the plaster model the technician models the post and the tooth build-up in wax and then casts them in metal.
- The cast construction, called a pinlay, is returned to the clinic, where it is cemented into the root canal of the tooth with a suitable cement.
- The pinlay is then ready for an impression for a crown; in rare cases it needs fine preparation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The advantage of this method is good retention and maximum restoration of the function of the tooth. The dentist and the dental technician have to work very accurately and precisely.
The disadvantage is the higher price of the pinlay and the longer time to make it – two visits to the dental clinic are needed.
After the tooth build-up is made, the making of a crown follows.
How much does it cost?
Building up a tooth with a pinlay (cast post and core) costs 80 – 140 €. All prices are in the price list.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pinlay?
A root post and a tooth build-up above the gum, cast together as one piece in the dental laboratory.
How many visits does a pinlay take?
Two visits to the dental clinic.
Why is a pinlay better than a build-up on a post?
With a build-up on a post, the weak point is the connection between the metal post and the material of the part above the gum. A pinlay avoids it, because the post and the core are one piece.
What are the disadvantages of a pinlay?
The higher price and the longer time to make it.