Crowns vs. Onlays: Treatment Options for Dental Restorations

When it comes to treating teeth that have been compromised due to decay, cracks, chips, or accidental injury, patients have restorative treatment options. In many cases, the choice is between a dental crown or an onlay. While a dental crown is made to replace the majority of the top part of a damaged tooth, an onlay is like a puzzle piece that replaces only the decayed portions of teeth, which typically includes one of the outer walls of teeth.

At ABA Dental Clinic, we offer patients the benefit of sturdy, in-office dental crowns. In contrast with onlays, dental crowns provide:

Strength and Longevity

Your teeth should be cared for in a way that allows them to last as long as possible, preventing or delaying the need for extraction. While onlays replace only the decayed parts of teeth, in the event of severe damage, dental crowns may better help seal out decay and prevent the spread of bad bacteria to other healthy teeth. Because adding a crown requires that much of your natural tooth structure above the gum line be buffed down to accommodate the prosthetic, crowns are a good choice when that dental enamel cannot and should not be left untreated. 

Utilizing a full coverage restoration provides the most benefit for protecting remaining natural tooth structure. Dental crowns help to stop the spread of severe decay with a dental crown helps to restore function and aesthetics and protects the structure of teeth below the gum line, which can also be damaged by bacteria if not treated properly.

Same-Day Crowns with 3D Scanning and Milling

Depending on the extent of damage to affected teeth in your smile, our Thunder Bay dental office can provide tooth-colored dental crowns with CAD/CAM technology. After going over your options for care, and our recommendations to protect the health of your smile in the long run, we can create your new dental crown in just one office visit.

For more information on whether a crown would be most suitable for your needs, contact ABA Dental Clinic to speak to a member of our team.