Onlays

When more than half of the tooth's biting surface is damaged a dentist will often use an onlay.

What are onlays?

Onlays are made of porcelain. The porcelain is bonded to the damaged area of the tooth, and extends out over one or more of the cusps of the tooth.  Recent advances in porcelain strength and color make onlays a good restorative option.

How are onlays applied?

Onlays usually require only one appointment to complete the procedure. First, the filling being replaced or the damaged or decaying area of the tooth is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the onlay. To ensure proper fit and bite, an impression of the tooth is made by the dentist, and then the onlay is milled in the office with a Cerec unit. Drs. Jones and Schmidt will then make sure that the onlay fits correctly. If the fit is satisfactory, the onlay will be bonded to the tooth with a strong resin and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations for onlays

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. As an alternative, onlays can actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent due to the fact that they are bonded onto the tooth using special high-strength resins. As a result, they can last from 10 years. In some cases, where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire crown, onlays can provide a very good alternative.