Dental Onlays in Bellevue, ID

Onlays

An onlay is a tooth filling made of metal, porcelain, or acrylic sometimes called partial crowns. At Snowy River Dental near Hailey ID, when we consider the options to preserve even a single broken tooth, we take a conservative approach. Fortunately, modern dental materials allow us to rebuild teeth to full function while maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible.Sometimes teeth suffer damage because of normal function over time, cavities, heavy bite forces, and trauma. While teeth may need to be fully “capped” with a dental crown, some smaller fractures can be perfectly restored with an onlay.

A crown requires a little more tooth preparation, but onlays allow the unbroken portions of a tooth to be left uncut. A custom piece of porcelain, like a partial crown, is bonded to the damaged area. Onlays blend seamlessly with the natural enamel and enhance both function and appearance. When the most conservative option fits your treatment plan, Dr. Bradshaw may suggest an onlay for ultimate restoration. Once applied, onlays function as a new part of your tooth and should be taken care of like your regular teeth with regular teeth cleaning for prevention of further tooth decay.

Onlay vs. Inlay: What's the Difference?

Onlays and Inlays are a step up from fillings, but not as comprehensive as a dental crown. An onlay fills a larger area of the tooth than an inlay. Onlays do not cover the entire surface of the tooth like a crown but cover a wider surface area than an inlay. Inlays typically fill only the area of the tooth where the cavity exists. Fillings, onlays, inlays and crowns are restorative treatments that address cavities and tooth decay after it has happened and, in many cases, we recommend sealants to add another layer of protection against future decay as well as preventatively.