New Jersey Inlays and Onlays
Onlays differ from crowns in that they do not go all the way to the gumline, leaving less chance for irritation. Like crowns, onlays are used when a filling is not sufficient to repair the damage caused by tooth decay to a tooth. An onlay allows the dentist to preserve more of the natural, healthy part of the tooth that remains.
Onlays can be made of porcelain or gold. Porcelain bonds to the natural tooth, which means there is less chance for addtional decay. Porcelain also looks more like a natural tooth, so it can be difficult to tell that tooth resoration has been performed.
Onlays are more durable than regular fillings because they are created in a lab. Gold onlays or porcelain onlays fused to metal are less susceptible to breaking than porcelain onlays, unless you are treated by an expert cosmetic dentist who has had additonal training in performing this procedure.
When possible, an onlay is Dr. Hurley's treatment of choice, and she has had
porcelain onlays placed in her own mouth.