People suffer damage to teeth for various reasons, such as decay, cavities, and injury. There are numerous restorations available for repairing damaged, decayed, and cracked teeth. Both crowns and onlays are similar restorations, but there are also stark differences. When you see your Seaford dentist, they will determine the best option for you. In this post, let’s talk more about crowns and onlays.
Overview of crowns and onlays
When you have a minor cavity, your dentist will usually recommend a dental filling. However, when the damage is too extensive and cannot be repaired with fillings, you will need either a crown or onlay. Think of crowns as caps that cover the entire tooth. On the other hand, onlays are used to correct damage on the cusp. Onlays and crowns are made of a wide range of materials, including metal and porcelain. Porcelain onlays resemble natural teeth color and are often preferred by patients.
When do you need a crown?
If you have extremely large or worn fillings or the damage cannot be repaired otherwise, you will need a crown. Crowns are often used after a tooth has suffered significant decay or gone through root canal therapy. A dental crown works like a cap and looks like a prosthetic tooth. Your dentist will usually prepare the tooth and take bite impressions to order the crown, which is made in a lab. The procedure takes two appointments, and during the second session, the crown will be fixed in place. A crown can entirely reshape a tooth, restore chewing function, and maintain the tooth’s integrity after root canal treatment.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns are highly popular but require replacement after a decade or more. While crowns are generally durable, these restorations can break and chip under bite pressure.
When do you need an onlay?
Much like crowns, onlays are also used to repair and reshape damaged teeth. Onlays reduce the risk of decay and restore the appearance of the tooth. The procedure for getting an onlay is more conservative. Your dentist doesn’t have to prepare or buff the tooth for the treatment, which helps preserve the structure. In terms of costs, onlays are cheaper than crowns. Onlays can also chip and crack, requiring additional treatment.
Comparing the prices
While dental clinics have different pricing slabs, the cost of a crown or onlay depends on several factors. The location of the tooth, the extent of repair required, the need for additional procedures, and whether the treatment is an emergency or elective are some of the factors. The material is a big factor because porcelain onlays and crowns cost a lot more than metal ones.
Procedure for getting an onlay
During the first appointment, your dentist will use local anesthesia and remove decay and damaged parts of the tooth. Next, they will create an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to order an onlay. You may get a temporary only for the time being. During the second visit, they will remove the temporary one and fix the new onlay in place.
Are there any side effects?
Both crowns and onlays are safe treatments, but it is common to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after the procedures. If you experience pain that doesn’t get better after the first couple of days, call your dentist.
Schedule a dental appointment
As a patient, you may not know whether a decayed tooth needs an onlay or a crown. However, when left untreated, the decay can cause an infection and additional complications. Check with your dentist in Seaford to get bespoke advice for a damaged, chipped, or decayed tooth.