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An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain.
An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.
Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration.
As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. They are highly durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
An onlay procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your onlay is made by a dental laboratory.
At your second appointment, your new onlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.
You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new onlay.
For the crown to be placed over your existing tooth or dental implant, the dentist will need to do some modifications. For this part of the process you will be numb, so the worst of it will be the achiness you might feel after the feeling comes back.
The placement of a crown does not usually hurt. Most people complain when a temporary crown is removed and the permanent one is placed, when air hits the exposed nerves. This lasts for maybe a minute and doesn’t even require numbing. If you have a root canal, this isn’t even a concern since you don’t have feeling in those nerves anymore. For implants, the pain and swelling is managed with over-the-counter medicines.
Crowns are treated just like any other tooth. Stick to your daily oral hygiene regimen of flossing, brushing, and mouth wash. Make sure to come in for your regular dental check-ups twice a year. If there is a need to treat the tooth inside the crown, the dentist can just drill through it and fill it in when the work is done. You really don’t need to worry about doing anything special for your crown.
While you may not want to replace all your teeth with crowns, it isn’t something you need to be afraid of either. Crowns are a great way to
fix a handful of problems or potential problems.
It can last from 5 to 25 years, depending upon how you care for it. It needs the same care you give your natural teeth, to prevent bacteria from spreading under the crown and causing further decay in the remaining tooth tissue. If you brush and floss daily, and come in for your regular check-ups and cleaning by our hygienist, your crown will be safe from bacterial destruction and will serve you well for many years.
Porcelain crowns look more attractive than gold crowns, as they are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Even crowns on back teeth can be visible when you laugh or yawn, and some people want no gold or other metal in their mouths at all.
Please feel welcome to contact our friendly reception staff with any dental inquires or to book an appointment.