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Lowe Dental Care An On-lay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain On-lays are popular because they resemble your natural tooth. An on-lay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. Porcelain on-lays are made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist. On-lays can be utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. On-lays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of on-lays. On-lays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be included in the restoration. Reasons for on-lay restorations:
What does getting an On-lay involve? While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling material. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an on-lay restoration. A temporary filling will be applied to protect the tooth while your On-lay is made by a dental laboratory. At your second appointment, your new on-lay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustment s may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new on-lay.
Carole S. Lowe-Richens, DDS © copyright 2009 Lowe Dental Care - All Rights Reserved |