Dental Onlays Vs. Fillings | Which Is Right For Me? 

If you have a damaged or weakened tooth, Memorial Dentists gives you multiple restoration options. You can choose from a traditional dental filling, same-day CEREC Onlays and crowns, and more alternatives when you visit our Houston family dentistry. 

Two Ways to Treat a Damaged Tooth 

At the most basic level, dental onlays and fillings perform the same function: treating a partially degraded tooth. The deciding factor between the two is often how damaged the tooth is. Let’s learn a little more: 

What Are Dental Fillings? 

In cases of tooth decay or worn out, weakened teeth, dental fillings are used to restore the shape and stability of the tooth. After a successful dental filling, chewing will become more comfortable, and decay and damage will be stopped to prevent the need for tooth removal. 

The most traditional type of dental filling is a durable silver and mercury alloy mixture. While these fillings are safe and long-lasting, many people don’t like the way they look. Fillings can also be made from plastic, tooth-colored resin, gold alloys, porcelain, and more. 

As the most common restoration procedure, most people already have a filling or two to their name. 

What Are Dental Onlays? 

An onlay is just as it sounds: it’s a restoration procedure that goes on and over the tooth. Onlays are best suited for tooth damage that is too big for an inlay or filling. If you come in to discuss an onlay, chances are the whole top surface of your tooth is lost or very close to it. 

Clinically speaking, your dental treatment becomes an onlay if it has to cover one or more cusps on the tooth’s biting surface. An onlay can also be a smart choice for a crack tooth.

What’s Right For Me? 

If you’re at a crossroads between dental onlays and dental fillings, first consider how extensive your tooth’s damage is. For severely damaged teeth, a filling may be too marginal to make a substantial repair. You will have to choose onlays or another option by default. 

Another major factor to consider is that most modern fillings are made of plastic. Though they are quick and easy to install, the shelf life can be short. 

Our gentle dentists provide porcelain onlays and same-day CEREC onlays. The delicate white color of porcelain allows the onlay to blend effortlessly with your teeth and offers greater durability. CEREC onlays are the latest and greatest dental innovation. If you have a damaged tooth and a tight schedule, CEREC onlays get you in and out of the dental chair in a matter of hours. 

To learn more about what procedure is right for your tooth, contact our Houston cosmetic dentistry now!

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Let’s Talk Teeth 

We are proud to be home to Houston’s best dentists. If you’re struggling with a broken or damaged tooth and need to repair it, stop in and ask us about our dental onlay and filling options!