Onlay Restoration

What is an Onlay?

An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of tooth-coloured porcelain. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain onlays are made in the dental clinic and are permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.

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.

What have an Onlay?

Porcelain onlays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. Onlays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an  alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays.

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.

Reasons for onlay restorations:

• Broken or fractured teeth
• Cosmetic enhancement
• Decayed teeth
• Fractured fillings
• Large fillings

What does getting an onlay involve?

At inlay appointment the damaged tooth will be shaped and polished to retain the healthy strong part of the tooth. A digital image is taken bt the CEREC Commera and an image is manipulated to design the perfect fit for restoring the tooth. A milling unit in another room shapes a piece of porcelain to fit the prepared tooth. This is then cemented onto the tooth.