A dental onlay is a type of filling that covers the cusp of a tooth. It is used to repair damage or decay at the front surfaces of teeth and can be made from porcelain or composite material. The dentist will remove any old fillings before placing an onlay to ensure no cracks or chips may cause pain when chewing food. An onlay can also be used as an alternative solution for someone who has had their tooth restored with gold crowns in the past but now wants something different. If you're interested in learning more about dental onlays, read on!
How does an onlay work?
An onlay is a dental procedure where the dentist replaces only one tooth or part of a tooth. The process can help restore your smile to its proper look and function, so you don't have to replace an entire crown or even several teeth. An onlay starts with an impression taken by the dentist that will be sent off for lab fabrication like any other traditional filling material (tooth-colored). Since this is not as sturdy as porcelain, it needs something stronger than just regular enamel to act as both reinforcement and cover-up; therefore, metal alloy provides additional strength while also having similar properties to natural ivory. Once fabricated at the laboratory, you return for installation, which takes place under local anesthesia before receiving a full set of temporary crowns. After the onlay has been set for about three weeks, you return to have them removed and replaced with final porcelain restorations.
Why would you need an onlay?
Dental onlays are used to restore teeth that have been broken or worn down. They are also used for cosmetic purposes, such as filling in spaces between the front teeth and a large gap. Onlays can be made of gold, porcelain, resin composite materials, and other metals, depending on your preference. Onlays are stronger than inlays and crowns, making them a very effective restoration choice for severely damaged teeth.
If you're still curious about dental onlays, feel free to give us a call or stop by the office. We want all of our patients to be happy with their smiles! What are your thoughts? Let us know!
Talk to one of our caring patient coordinators today to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Frank Sioda 18676 Willamette Dr. Suite 202 West Linn, OR 97068-1718
Dental Blog | Dentist West Linn | ZenTech Dentistry Dr. Frank Sioda of ZenTech Dentistry has created this informative blog to help educate the community about a variety of dental topics. Learn more here. ZenTech Dentistry - Frank K. Sioda, DMD, PC, 18676 Willamette Dr., Suite 202, West Linn, OR 97068-1718 - (503) 765-9699 - zentechdentistry.com - 9/30/2024 - Related Phrases: dentist West Linn -
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A dental onlay is a type of filling that covers the cusp of a tooth. It is used to repair damage or decay at the front surfaces of teeth and can be made from porcelain or composite material. The dentist will remove any old fillings before placing an onlay to ensure no cracks or chips may cause pain when chewing food. An onlay can also be used as an alternative solution for someone who has had their tooth restored with gold crowns in the past but now wants something different. If you're interested in learning more about dental onlays, read on!