What is a dental onlay?
A dental onlay, also known as an indirect restoration, made outside of the mouth and then placed into the mouth, is a restorative procedure placed the day tooth decay is removed to restore the shape, function and health of your tooth. Dental onlays can be made with a variety of materials most commonly being porcelain. Ater taking a scan of your tooth, our dentists will design and place your onlay during one visit.
Dental onlays are used to treat larger areas of decay that extend beyond the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Our doctors may recommend a dental inlay when your tooth has a larger area of decay and dental filling materials may not be able to provide the structural support needed to prevent further damage (fracture) from your biting forces, such as talking and chewing, but the decay does not affect a large enough portion of the tooth where a dental crown would be prescribed.