Dental onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown. Onlays are durable, made from hard wearing materials that can last up to 30 years. They help strengthen teeth unlike metal fillings and prolong tooth life. Onlays blend with the rest of your teeth to achieve a natural and uniform appearance. Dr. Allison O'Brien considers options to preserve every broken tooth with a conservative philosophy approach. Fortunately, modern dental materials open doors to rebuild teeth to full strength less invasive than ever before.
Sometimes teeth undergo significant damage due to cavities, heavy bite forces, trauma, or even normal functioning. Many situations can leave teeth in danger of loss if treatment is bypassed. While teeth may need to be fully 'capped' with a dental crown, some smaller fractures can be perfectly formed back to health with an onlay. A crown requires a little more tooth preparation while onlays allow the unbroken portions of a tooth to be left uncut. A custom piece of porcelain, like a partial crown, is bonded to the damaged area. Onlays blend seamlessly with the natural enamel and enhance both function and appearance. When the most conservative option fits your treatment plan, Dr. O'Brien may suggest an onlay for ultimate restoration.