7 reasons a dental onlay may be the right option for you.

Treatment options like fillings and dental bonding can provide a fast, effective solution when you have a cavity or other minor damage. But what happens when the damage is more serious?

Dental onlays are a solution for moderate to extensive tooth damage that provides benefits across a wide range of important areas.

With this method, a custom restoration is made to protect the tooth’s chewing surface, similar to a crown, only for the top. This provides an excellent combination of retaining natural material and offering lasting protection.

1. Preservation of Healthy Tooth Structure

When parts of a tooth become damaged or decayed, they can impact its overall structure. The weakened areas may not be able to stand up to the daily stress of biting and chewing, leading to pain when eating and allowing further damage to affect the tooth.

Dental onlays are carefully crafted to solve this issue. They’re made of strong, durable materials, like porcelain, that reinforce and restore the function of the affected area. They replace the cusp and chewing surface of the tooth so that weakened enamel doesn’t compromise the overall structure.

2. Enhanced Strength and Stability

A dental filling is often a sufficient solution in cases of minor damage or decay. Fillings support and seal the area against bacteria that might cause further decay. However, they lack the strength and stability to deal with larger areas, as there’s a risk of the filling material failing, or coming loose.

Dental onlays are a better restorative treatment for these cases.

The top of the tooth is prepared for a dental onlay by any removing damaged and decayed enamel, providing a solid foundation to which the onlay is then bonded using dental cement. The result is a restoration that boasts both strength and stability.

3. Natural-looking Results

Of course, the appearance of your smile is another important aspect of any restorative dentistry treatment. Dental onlays create a beautiful appearance that matches your natural teeth, so no one will be the wiser about the dental work you’ve had done.

Materials like porcelain make an excellent visual match for enamel. Not only does porcelain closely resemble the natural color and texture of teeth, but it also has the slight translucency found in enamel. Dental onlays are custom restorations crafted to match natural teeth in color and shape.

4. Longevity and Durability

One of the reasons dental onlays are so widely used is their longevity. Your restoration can last for decades when properly cared for. Dental onlays can easily withstand the everyday challenges natural teeth face, without cracking, chipping, or wearing down.

The strong materials used will ensure durability even under tough conditions. However, there are still some steps you should take to protect them. Avoid using your teeth for biting or chewing anything other than food, and seek protective treatment options (such as a nightguard) if you have issues with grinding or clenching your teeth.

5. Minimized Tooth Sensitivity

Damaged and decayed teeth can be highly sensitive, causing pain when biting and chewing. Dental onlays solve this problem, providing lasting protection to prevent any such sensitivity.

Your dental onlay will be carefully molded to blend in with the natural tooth. As part of this process, it will exhibit the same general thickness. This serves to protect the sensitive inner layers of the tooth the same way strong, healthy enamel does.

6. Preservation of Natural Tooth Appearance

Your restored tooth will look incredibly natural with a dental onlay. Each individual onlay is customized for the specific tooth it’s repairing. Getting the proper shape for the cusp and chewing surface makes it practically indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

Dental onlays fit in perfectly with the surrounding teeth — unless you’re a trained dental expert, the difference is practically impossible to spot. There’s no visible seam where the onlay meets the tooth, either, as it’s painstakingly smoothed and polished during placement.

7. Minimal Post-Treatment Discomfort

Dental onlays are often preferable to dental crowns because they present a less invasive treatment option. If damage or decay only affects the cusp and chewing surface, a dental onlay will preserve more of the natural tooth than a dental crown would.

The minimally invasive procedure also reduces any post-treatment discomfort or sensitivity. Your smile will look as good as new soon after your treatment, ready for whatever life throws at it.

Visit your trusted dentist in Lakeway, Texas, today.

If you’re dealing with tooth decay or other damage, you need the right treatment to restore the appearance, function, and health of your teeth. Tomasik Family Dental is your dentist in Lakeway, Texas, for dental onlays and a wide range of other restorative treatment options. Schedule your consultation today and let us find the treatment that suits your unique needs.