Restorations comprised of tooth-colored porcelain that are intended to replace decayed areas of teeth are known as porcelain onlays. Porcelain onlays resemble the appearance of puzzle pieces and are bonded to the natural structure of your teeth to allow them to remain strong and provide a healthy appearance. During a porcelain onlay treatment, only the decayed areas of the teeth are taken out and replaced with porcelain.
Porcelain onlays differ from dental crowns because crowns are designed to serve as a replacement for the entire top portion of your tooth, regardless of how much damage it actually contains. Although crowns are an effective way to repair decayed teeth, they involve the removal of far more enamel.
At Wells Family Dentistry, our dentists recommend porcelain onlays for any patients who are suffering from tooth decay because this treatment can save them both time and money as crowns are more expensive and require more maintenance. With porcelain onlays, patients can preserve their natural teeth in an affordable way. Here’s what you can expect from the onlay restoration process:
· The damaged areas of your tooth will be removed and replaced with porcelain.
· Your tooth will be polished so that the porcelain can be bonded into place properly.
· A dental lab will create your onlay.
· A dentist at our office will bond your custom created onlay into place and ensure that you’re comfortable with your bite alignment.
Fortunately, the porcelain onlay procedure only requires two appointments. To ensure your porcelain onlays remain in good shape, you will need to practice good oral hygiene, adhere to a healthy diet, and visit our office every six months.
Schedule an Appointment at Wells Family Dentistry
To find out whether porcelain onlays are right for you, schedule an appointment at Wells Family Dentistry in Raleigh, NC today by calling (919) 266-5332. We’ll evaluate your teeth and let you know if porcelain onlays make sense.