Dental onlays preserve natural teeth for a signature healthy smile that lasts
Dental onlays at our practice, Signature Smiles Dental in Riverside, California, are a perfect complement to our commitment to exceptional dentistry and care. By their very nature, onlays are conservative. They preserve natural, healthy tooth material. The more natural tissue that can be conserved, the better the long-term experience with the treated tooth.
All about onlays
Onlays build up the damaged part of your tooth. Prepared and designed to your unique specifications by our dentists, Drs Geomel Brian Bebing and Harun Ayouby, the highest quality dental materials are seamlessly shaped, fitted, and bonded to the existing “prepared” tooth structure.
Onlays are designed to fit inside the grooved area or surface of the tooth between its “cusps” or points. They also cover at least one cusp or tooth tip or point. The ideal patient for onlays treatment has damage that is too extensive to be treated with a “simple” filling; however, the decayed or otherwise damaged area may be repaired without a full-coverage crown. For this reason, onlays are at times referred to as “partial crowns.” They are a step down in terms of coverage from full crowns. The dental crown is made to fit over the entire tooth and restore the visible white portion of the tooth above the gum line.
In both cases, the irreparably damaged portions of the tooth must be removed. In this manner, the tooth is a “clean slate.” The remaining tooth is also shaped to properly “accept” the onlay or crown. Onlays may also be appropriate for patients with worn or old fillings that need to be replaced. Worn fillings are vulnerable to fractures and can also lead to decay or infection as harmful bacteria seep into the innermost portions of the tooth
Patients with a tooth that has sustained less extensive damage may benefit from fillings or dental inlays. Like its counterpart, the inlay precisely rebuilds the portion of the tooth that cannot be preserved. However, inlays are even more conservative than onlays as the dental material is shaped and secured only to the portions of the tooth between the cusps or points.
Due to the conservative nature of dental inlays and onlays, treatment is:
- Well-tolerated and gentle
- Fast
- Durable provides lasting support
- A great way to get natural-looking results
The treated tooth should feel no different from its healthy, neighboring teeth. With proper care, your onlays hold up for many years. Routine visits to our practice are a foundation for appropriate care. Schedule your appointment today by calling Signature Smiles Dental at (951) 777-2805.
