When Do You Need a Crown after an Onlay?

Dental flaws like chips, decay, and breaks can significantly affect your bite function and lead to tooth loss. Dental restorations can help preserve and restore the structure and strength of your damaged teeth.

Dental onlays and crowns are common restorative options for repairing moderate dental damage. Based on your condition and needs, you may need one or both of them. This article explores the differences and characteristics of these restorations to help determine what’s suitable for your needs.

What are Dental Onlays?

Onlays are custom-made dental restorations designed to repair damaged or decayed teeth. Unlike dental fillings that fit on the tooth, onlays repair a larger part of the tooth, including the cusps (the raised or pointed parts of the tooth’s chewing surface). Thus, they provide excellent stability and strength to withstand high forces chewing foods.

For a natural-looking appearance, dental onlays are custom-made to match the shape, color, and size of your teeth. Unlike dental crowns, onlays only require minimal enamel shaving, making them more conservative. They are commonly made from materials like composite resin, porcelain, zirconia, and gold. Visit our dentist for Onlays and dental inlays in Marshfield, MA.

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a tooth-shaped dental cap placed over a tooth to repair or hide the damage. Unlike an onlay which only covers a part of the tooth, a crown covers the part of the tooth above the gum line.

They effectively improve the structure, stability, and strength of a severely weakened, damaged, or decayed tooth. Sometimes crowns are used to cover a tooth with a large filling or onlay or after a root canal treatment.

Like onlays, dental crowns can be customized to match the aesthetics of your teeth. They can be crafted from various materials like porcelain, composite resin, gold, zirconia, and metal. Since the crown is placed over the tooth, more tooth reduction is needed to create enough room for the crown to fit perfectly without feeling or looking abnormal.

When Do You Need a Crown after Getting an Onlay?

In most cases, an onlay can sufficiently repair a damaged or decayed tooth without needing a crown. Onlays are ideal for repairing significant tooth damage that can’t be corrected with filling but don’t necessitate a dental crown.

Therefore, you might not need a crown if there’s little damage to the tooth, and an onlay can sufficiently restore the tooth’s structure, strength, function, and appearance.

However, there are instances when a crown may be necessary. This majorly depends on the severity of the damaged tooth and its location. If the tooth has extensive damage, like a large fracture or significant decay, the tooth’s structure and strength are greatly compromised.

In such a case, an onlay alone may not sufficiently support the tooth. Thus, the tooth may be highly prone to additional infections and fractures. A dental crown may be necessary to provide additional support, strength, and protection for the tooth.

Dentist’s Recommendation

Generally, determining the need for a dental crown after a dental onlay requires a comprehensive dental evaluation. The dentist will assess your tooth’s condition, location, dental needs, and personal preferences to determine the suitable treatment for you. This might involve a physical exam, visual inspection, x-rays, and other diagnostic tools to examine your tooth’s health and needs.

The dentist will recommend an ideal treatment option for you based on the results. It can be an onlay, crown, or combination of both. Since the dentist considers the tooth’s long-term survival, aesthetics, and function, they can provide a viable recommendation for your overall oral needs.

Benefits of Dental Crowns and Onlays

Below are several benefits of getting a dental crown or onlay or both:

• Improved strength and stability. Onlays and crowns repair extensive tooth damage, improving the stability and strength of your tooth.
• Added protection. Onlays and crowns restore the structure and strength of a damaged tooth, effectively protecting it from further fractures and infections.
• Better function. Onlays and crowns reinforce your damaged or weakened tooth, restoring your ability to chew and eat properly.
• Enhanced aesthetics. Onlays and crowns can be customized to match the appearance of your real teeth for a more attractive and seamless smile.

Visit Our Office for Inlays & Onlays in Marshfield, MA

Do you have extensive dental damage or decay? You can restore your tooth’s structure, strength, and appearance with dental inlays and onlays. Contact Beautiful South Shore Smiles to book your appointment today.