Onlays

Dental onlays are similar to tooth fillings, but are indirect restorations which are fabricated outside the oral cavity and cemented on to the tooth with the help of a bonded cement to repair the damaged or lost tooth structure.

Onlays are less invasive than crowns and conserve the tooth structure. Onlays fit inside the tooth, but extend onto the chewing surface of a back tooth.

Onlays are indicated when the defect, damage or fracture incorporate such areas of tooth which are difficult to restore with a tooth coloured direct composite restoration or a silver filling, due to the inadequate strength of these materials to resist fractures and withstand biting forces under areas which have a weak underlying base.

Earlier onlay restorations were made up of gold but now a days due to advancements in newer materials and the need for esthetic and life like posterior fillings , onlays can be fabricated in ceramics which have a comparable strength and durability.

Onlays can also be fabricated in composite resins, which are highly esthetic since they are available in various shades and opacities making the restoration esthetically pleasing.