Dental onlays offer patients the chance to renew and rebuild teeth that are in bad shape due to damage or decay. While there are a number of existing dental restorations, onlays often get overlooked because they are rarely recommended. However, they are still an effective dental restoration option to look into and consider for your needs and treatment goals.
A dental onlay is an indirect restoration that is placed over the cusps of molar teeth. Unlike dental inlays, onlays are used to address more extensive areas of molar teeth, meaning one or more of the cusps can be covered. Like inlays, crowns, and veneers, dental onlays are made in a lab. Once created, they are placed over the tooth using dental bonding.
Dental onlays are made of gold, silver, porcelain, or acrylic materials, all of which are strong and reliable. However, with gold and silver onlays, there is the risk of attention being drawn to the treatment areas in the patient's mouth. Porcelain and acrylic are white in color, which makes them hard to notice, thus allowing for a more natural-looking dental restoration.
Dental onlays are recommended for individuals who have damaged cusps, which can happen as a result of tooth decay, injury, teeth grinding (bruxism), or discoloration. The molars are prone to staining as they interact with food the most. However, they cannot be whitened using products. With dental onlays, the dentist can cover the damaged cusps and permanently hide the stains.
In the case of wear and tear from grinding or eating hard foods, the cusps become severely worn down. This wear can eventually lead to cracking or chipping, both of which can be detrimental to the molar's function and appearance. Dental onlays can cover weak spots on the cusps, restoring and strengthening the entire tooth.
A dental onlay procedure involves two appointments, with the first requiring the patient to undergo an impression. An impression is necessary for an off-site dental lab to properly create the dental onlay.
Once the onlay is ready, the patient will return to the dentist's office for the placement of the onlay. The dentist will use a bonding solution to attach the onlay to the cusps on the molar tooth. After the onlay is set in place, the dentist will check for any hangover or excess parts that may cause irritation.
Are you curious to learn more about dental onlays? The Valley River Dental is here to answer any questions you may have about dental onlays and other restoration options. We can evaluate your teeth and determine if this option is right for you. Call our Murphy office to learn more or schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://www.valleyriverdental.com or call Valley River Dental at (828) 360-9114 for an appointment in our Murphy office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Dental Onlay in Murphy, NC.
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