Onlays are essentially porcelain fillings (either part or full) bonded into place to protect the tooth from chewing forces. With current porcelains and bonding techniques, we will usually place an onlay rather than a crown. An onlay will replace the missing areas of the tooth and require only minimal work on the tooth itself.
An onlay is a conservative dental restoration that is used to repair and protect a heavily restored tooth. It is a versatile option that preserves more of the natural tooth structure compared to traditional crowns and still looks very lifelike. Onlays are seen as a much better way to restore a tooth than a crown as there is so little additional treatment to the tooth, resulting in less risk of weakening the tooth or to the nerve of the tooth. Onlays are always bonded to the tooth with resins, creating an extremely strong stick and seal.
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Book me in!Preservation of healthy tooth structure: Onlays allow us to conserve as much of your natural tooth as possible, promoting long-term oral health.
Customised fit: Similar to ceramic crowns, onlays are custom-designed to fit your tooth precisely.
Stability and strength: Onlays provide stability to the tooth while restoring its strength and function.
Promote oral health: Onlays are easier to keep clean than some other restorations
Initially, our experienced dentists will conduct a thorough examination to assess the condition of your teeth and determine the most suitable treatment for the tooth in question.
We use state-of-the-art technology to create precise digital impressions of your teeth, ensuring accurate and comfortable fittings for your onlays. Your onlays are custom-fabricated in a dental laboratory to match the unique shape and colour of your natural teeth.
Our skilled dental team will ensure the proper placement of your onlays using up-to-date bonding techniques, making sure they enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your smile.
Inlays and onlays are made from hard wearing materials, including porcelain and composite resin, and if aesthetics is not an issue, gold can be used to provide a particularly durable restoration. We would usually make them out of Emax porcelain.
Inlays and onlays are generally regarded as long-term solutions for restoring your teeth. They are very stable restorations that fit a damaged tooth perfectly, are able to provide superior protection, and withstand stronger chewing forces. Generally, we would expect your inlay or onlay to last a similar number of years to dental crowns. This is usually around 10-15 years (although may well be longer) provided you have good oral hygiene and look after your restoration properly.
You care for your inlays and onlays in the same way you would care for your natural teeth. You should brush and floss daily as recommended by your dentist/hygienist, and visit the dentist for routine appointments to ensure your restoration is secure and strong. As the inlay or onlay is tailored to fit, they can be easier to keep clean than other restorations.
The resin cements that we use are completely set in a few minutes. As such there is no restriction as to what or when you can eat.
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by Dental Design
