Dental Onlays: The Little-known Solutions for Tooth Decay and Cavities

No two cavities are the same. Minor cavities are easily treatable with dental fillings, while a dental crown can fix pronounced dental decay. However, sometimes, there are in-between cases where the tooth damage is too extensive for a filling but doesn’t warrant dental crown treatment. In such situations, Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA, in Flower Mound, Texas, uses dental onlays to restore your tooth to its natural strength and shape.

What are dental onlays?

You may have heard about fillings and crowns, but there are lesser-known alternatives called onlays used to treat cavities and decay. A dental onlay is a lab-made restoration placed on the tooth to restore its function and aesthetics. Unlike a dental inlay (another indirect filling) that only covers the grooves within a tooth, a dental onlay covers a larger area, including the cusps. Although onlays function like crowns, they don’t cover the entire tooth.

What is the process of getting a dental onlay?

Getting a dental filling involves just one appointment, but dental onlays require at least two visits since the restorations are created in an offsite lab. After the initial consultation with Dr. Jonathan Golab, we’ll numb your gums before removing the decayed or damaged portions of the tooth. Typically, dental onlays preserve more of your tooth structure than dental crowns, so expect less enamel removal.

After prepping your tooth, we take impressions of your tooth to ensure our partner dental lab makes a restoration that matches your tooth specifications. Until your restoration is ready, we’ll temporarily restore your prepped tooth with a provisional restoration.

When your onlay is ready, you’ll book another appointment with Dr. Golab for placement. After removing the temporary filling, we’ll clean your tooth and try your onlay. We’ll make a few final touches before using dental cement to bond it permanently to your tooth. The last step is to polish your tooth for a natural-looking finish. 

Benefits of dental onlays

In the past, dental onlays were made from metal, such as gold. Nowadays, dentists use ceramic materials like porcelain or composite resin because of their aesthetics and biocompatibility. 

Following are the many benefits of ceramic dental onlays.

• Natural feel and appearance
• Durable results with proper care
• Conservative treatment
• Preserve your compromised tooth from future damage
• Lab-made restorations designed with a precise fit
• More affordable than dental crowns
• No metal allergy

Many patients are concerned with maintenance after tooth restoration, but it doesn’t mean your lifestyle has to change because you have a new onlay. Caring for your onlay is no different from maintaining your natural teeth. You should brush twice daily, floss every day, and see a dentist every six months to check the condition of your restoration. Although dental onlays are susceptible to damage, they’re designed to last over 20 years if properly maintained. 

Give us a call today for dental onlays!

Do you think a dental onlay is suitable for you in Flower Mound, Texas? We invite you to schedule an appointment with Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, PA, today. 

Please call (469) 444-2119 or request an online appointment with Dr. Golab for durable and aesthetically pleasing dental onlays.

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