Dental Onlays, ¾ Crowns & Full Crowns

There are times when your tooth suffers damage (from decay, for example) that is too extensive to be

treated with a simple filling — but not extensive enough to need a full-coverage crown. In these cases, the best option for restoring the tooth is an onlay or ¾ crown.

Onlays are considered “indirect” fillings, meaning that they are fabricated outside the mouth (generally at a dental laboratory), and then bonded to the tooth by the dentist. This is in contrast to a “direct” filling, which is applied directly to your cavity by us in one office visit.

How It Works

Getting an onlay is very much like what you would experience having a crown placed, with one important distinction: less of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed (thereby making your tooth stronger rather than weaker) by drilling when you receive an onlay compared to a crown. When you get a crown, the tooth needs to undergo significant reshaping so that it will fit inside its new covering. Since our goal is to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, onlays are recommended whenever possible instead of a crown.

The first steps is numbing the tooth with a local anesthetic, and then removing the decay and/or cracks. This is done to prevent decay, (which is a type of chronic, often painless infection), from progressing deeper into the tooth. Next an impression of it is made and sent to the dental laboratory. There, the impression is used to make a model of your tooth for the creation of your onlay. The final restoration is usually made of a tooth-colored ceramic or resin. Before you leave the office, a temporary onlay will be placed to protect your tooth until the permanent restoration is ready. At your second visit, the permanent onlay will be attached to your tooth with either a light-hardened resin, or a permanent cement. Avoid flossing the temporary onlay to prevent it from coming loose and making your tooth sensitive during the 2-week fabrication time of the final restoration (we place a medicated cement over the tooth to protect it and minimize sensitivity during the 2-week wait). Ensure to brush the temporary onlay very well to keep your gums and tooth healthy. The temporary onlay may have some texture or bumps, but your final onlay restoration will be very smooth and polished.

If your damage to your tooth was more extensive, we will also place a core buildup foundation to restore the middle of your tooth underneath a more advanced restoration called a ¾ crown. The maintenance is nearly the same as an onlay.

It is normal to have some sensitivity during the temporary stage and for a week or two after the final restoration is placed. An over the counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (ie Tylenol) or ibuprofen work while you get used to the changed tooth. Conscientious daily brushing and flossing, and regular professional cleanings at the dental office are all you need to make sure your restoration lasts for years to come.

PLUS, at Pinecrest Dental we warranty our All Porcelain onlays and crowns for 4 years from chipping, wearing or cracking, as long as you keep up with regular dental visits in our office!  6 Days a week at 801-783-1082