Dental Onlays in Holladay, UT

An onlay is a custom-made partial crown for a tooth that is too damaged for a filling but not damaged enough to need covering completely.

Services→Restorative Dentistry→Dental Onlays in Holladay, UT

Onlay is a word most people have never heard, and it sounds more complicated than it is. Think of it as a partial crown: a custom-made piece that covers only the damaged part of a back tooth instead of the whole thing. When a filling would not hold and a full crown would mean shaping away healthy tooth, this is the option in between.

We do dental onlays at Pinnacle Dental for patients whose teeth have decayed around the cusp of the tooth. Dr. David S. Cannon can fill the tooth with a composite filling that will bond to the tooth and make it stronger. Call our dentist at 801-274-3889 if this is a service you may require, or schedule a consultation to learn more about our dental onlays in Holladay, Utah!

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are used to repair damage or decay. If the damage is not extensive enough to warrant the use of a dental crown but is too serious to be repaired with a filling, our experienced dentist may recommend a dental inlay or onlay. Also known as partial crowns, inlays and onlays are custom created from porcelain, composite resin material or gold. Our dentist will ensure that your custom inlay or onlay perfectly fits your tooth to restore the health, function and appearance of your smile. Once placed, they are virtually undetectable in the mouth and conserve much of your natural tooth structure.

Both inlays and onlays are used to restore damaged teeth. The difference between a dental inlay and a dental onlay is that an inlay is used when the damage does not reach the cusps of the tooth, while a dental onlay is used when the damage extends to one or more of the cusps. We will help you determine whether you need a dental inlay or onlay to restore your smile.

We welcome you to call or visit us today to learn more about dental inlays and onlays. We are eager to restore your smile!

Reasons people come in for this

A large old filling has broken and the tooth wall around it looks thin
One of the points on a back tooth chipped off while you were eating
You were told a tooth is borderline, somewhere between a filling and a crown
You would rather keep as much of your own tooth as possible
A back tooth aches when you chew, but the X-ray shows the nerve is still healthy
The filling in one tooth keeps cracking and you want something sturdier

What it does for you

More of your natural tooth is left in place
Built in a laboratory to fit your bite exactly
Stands up to back-tooth chewing pressure
Porcelain or composite blends with the tooth
Sealed edges leave less room for new decay
Can spare you a full crown for now

About Dental Onlays

It takes two visits, much like a crown. At the first, the tooth is numbed, the broken part and any decay are removed, and we take an impression that goes out to a dental laboratory, leaving you in a temporary while it is made. At the second visit we try the onlay in, check that your teeth meet evenly, and bond it into the tooth. The difference from a crown is how much tooth stays untouched underneath.

The middle ground between two options
Keeps more of your own tooth
Custom made by a dental laboratory
Blends in once it is bonded

Benefits of Dental Onlays

Every time a tooth is shaped down, it gets a little weaker, and nothing we can make is as strong as the enamel you were born with. So when a tooth only needs part of it covered, covering only that part is the better answer. It is also a repair that seals well at the edges, which is where new decay usually starts under an old filling.

What to Expect

You will be numb, and the first appointment feels much like having a large filling done, only with an impression at the end instead of a finished filling. Dr. Cannon will explain what he is seeing as he goes if you want to know, or stay quiet and let you listen to something if you would rather not. Ask in English or Spanish, whichever is easier, since everyone here speaks both.

Common Questions

What is the difference between an onlay and a crown?

A crown covers the entire tooth down to the gumline. An onlay covers only the damaged portion, usually the biting surface and one or more of the points on top, and leaves the rest of the tooth alone. When both would work, the onlay is the more conservative choice because less of your tooth is removed.

Will it hurt?

The tooth is numbed first and checked before anything begins. During the appointment you feel pressure, water and vibration, not sharpness, and if that changes you tell us and we stop. Afterward the tooth may be tender to chewing on for a few days while it settles.

How long does it take?

Two appointments, usually a couple of weeks apart while the laboratory makes your onlay. You leave the first one with a temporary in place. The second visit is short, mostly fitting, adjusting your bite and bonding it in.

How long does an onlay last?

It depends on your bite, your grinding habits and how well the edges are kept clean, so we will not promise a number. Like any restoration, it lasts longest when you brush and floss the margins where it meets your tooth. If you clench or grind at night, say so, because that affects what Dr. Cannon recommends.

What does an onlay cost?

It falls between a filling and a crown, and the exact figure depends on the material and your plan. We will check your coverage and give you the number in writing before starting. We accept Cigna, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Dental Select, Delta Dental and Deseret Mutual, and offer CareCredit and an in-office membership plan for patients without insurance.

Terms You May Hear

Onlay: A custom-made restoration, sometimes called a partial crown, that covers the biting surface of a tooth and at least one of the raised points on top.
Inlay: The same idea as an onlay, but smaller. It sits in the valley of the tooth and does not extend over any of the raised points.
Cusp: One of the rounded points on the biting surface of a back tooth. Cusps are the parts that most often chip when an old filling gives way.

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Call 801-274-3889 and we will show you on the X-ray why an onlay fits your tooth, or why it does not.