Onlays – Johnston, IA

When more than half of a tooth’s biting surface is damaged, we often use an onlay to restore the tooth’s anatomy.

What are dental onlays?

Onlays are made of porcelain/ceramic or composite resin and are bonded to the tooth to replace damaged areas of the tooth.

Traditionally, gold had been the material of choice for onlays. However, in recent years, porcelain/ceramic has become increasingly popular due to its strength and color, which matches the natural color of your teeth.

How are onlays applied?

With our in-office E4D technology, we are able to complete onlays in one visit.

During the visit, the damaged or decayed area of the tooth (or the filling that is being replaced) is removed, and the tooth is prepared for the onlay.  To ensure proper fit and bite, we make a digital scan of the tooth and then use that scan to design your new onlay.  We send the design to our in-office mill, which carves your onlay out of a block.

Once the mill is done fabricating your onlay, Dr. Emily or Dr. Derek will make sure that the onlay fits correctly.  When the fit is satisfactory, the onlay is glazed, and then bonded to the tooth with a strong resin cement and polished to a smooth finish.

Considerations for Onlays

Traditional fillings can reduce the strength of a natural tooth by up to 50 percent. Alternatively, onlays, which are bonded directly onto the tooth using special high-strength resins, actually increase the strength of a tooth by up to 75 percent. As a result, they typically last many years. In cases where the damage to the tooth is not extensive enough to merit an entire dental crown, onlays provide a very good alternative.

For more information regarding our onlays, call our office today! Furrow Family Dentistry Office Phone Number (515) 253-0405