Crowns/Onlays

Crowns/Onlays are made from a variety of material: from gold, metal, tooth coloured porcelain, or a combination of metal and porcelain.

They are personalised to each patient in a specialist dental laboratory and cover part or all of your tooth. Teeth which may be badly broken down or unsightly will benefit from crowns or onlays to restore them to health and function.

Crown And Onlays FAQ’S

What is a crown?

A crown (also called a cap) is an artificial tooth used by a dentist to cover a damaged, decayed, misshapen, or yellowed tooth in order to restore and protect it. A dental crown is often used following root canal treatment to strengthen the damaged area. Patients often opt for porcelain crowns as opposed to gold or other materials in order to achieve the most natural appearance.

What is a onlay?
Dental onlays are restorations for teeth that have been damaged by decay or cavities, or have been fractured. A dentist can use an onlay to replace a decayed tooth cusp and protect the tooth structure. Onlays replace part of the tooth to mitigate further damage and ensure the patient has full use of the tooth once again. The advantage of using onlays as opposed to crowns during the restoration process is that onlays only require the removal of the affected area of the tooth. This allows the patient to keep more of their natural tooth and minimizes treatment requirements. While dental onlays don't have the rigidity and strength provided by crowns, they do offer application flexibility.
Crown or Onlay?

Your dentist is in the best position to advise whether you require a crown or an onlay. They have experience to know which would suit your unique circumstances. In making the determination, they will consider some of the following:

  • The damage to your tooth
  • Your past dental work
  • Cosmetic implications
Whats the procedure?

Crowns or Onlays usually follow the same basic procedure:

Visit 1

  1. The tooth is checked to make sure it is suitable and healthy enough to support a crown or onlay.
  2. If required, any old filling will be removed and replaced with a ‘core’ to ensure that the remaining tooth is healthy.

Visit 2

  1. The problematic tooth is trimmed and shaped for a proper crown/onlay fit.
  2. Impression of your opposing teeth, the tooth preparation and a record of your bite is taken. This is sent to the dental laboratory for crown/onlay fabrication
  3. The porcelain colour & shade is selected, if necessary
  4. A temporary crown/onlay is fitted until the lab makes the permanent one.

Visit 3 (after approximately 2 weeks)

  1. Final permanent crown/onlay fitting.
What are the risks?
Sensitivity
Your tooth may be sensitivity to hot and cold air, food, and drinks This usually settled with the use of sensitive tooth paste

Nerve Damage
Repeated trauma with replacement fillings and subsequent preparation of a tooth may damage its internal tissues, which contain the pulp and nerve tissues. This can occasionally mean that a root canal filling is required.

Contact Us

Get in touch today with any queries, questions, or to get information on dental care and treatments at Hardhorn Dental Practice in Poulton-Le-Fylde.

Call us Today

01253 883079

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info@hardhorndental.co.uk