What is an onlay?
An inlay/onlay is a material used to “fill-in” an area of a tooth that is missing due to decay or from replacement of a previous filling. Inlays/onlays are made of durable ceramic that is matched to your natural tooth color. Onlays are more conservative than a crown and unlike standard fillings, they do not weaken the tooth structure, but actually strengthen it. After the procedure the tooth can bear up to 50-75% more chewing force.
What is a CEREC onlay?
In dentistry today, there are two types of onlays – those made to a dentist’s specifications by a laboratory and those that the dentist designs chairside using a CEREC machine. In our Cincinnati office, we exclusively use a CEREC machine to make onlays for patients.
CEREC uses CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology to take a 3-D picture of a tooth and, using the picture as an impression, mill a new tooth-colored onlay to restore the damaged tooth.
The advantages of a CEREC onlay – VS – a laboratory onlay
At our Cincinnati dental office we have found that patients really appreciate the convenience of a CEREC onlay versus a laboratory onlay. With a lab onlay, a patient is required to make two visits to the dental office – one visit for shaping the tooth and taking an impression to send to the lab, and a second visit to place the lab-made onlay into the damaged tooth. A CEREC onlay is made entirely in one hour-and-a-half visit. This means our patients only have to find time in their busy schedules for one short appointment and only need to be numbed once, as well!
What to expect during the treatment
First, Dr. Omeltschenko will numb you and then prepare the damaged tooth. Next, he paints a thin layer of reflective powder directly on the tooth’s surface. Using a special camera, he then takes a picture of the tooth, which serves as a pin sharp optical impression.
Next, a computer reads the optical impression and, using Computer Aided Design, Dr. Omeltschenko designs a restoration based on these specifications. The design is done chairside on a color monitor and you can watch him design the new restoration right in front of your eyes.
Once he has designed the restoration, the specifications for the restoration are electronically sent to a milling chamber where the restoration is made. Using Computer Aided Manufacturing, a high-speed diamond bur and a disk simultaneously mill a precise restoration out of ceramic that closely matches your tooth color. This process is called “milling” and takes approximately ten minutes. Finally, Dr. Omeltschenko bonds the newly milled restoration to the tooth fusing the two together to become one. The total procedure can be completed in about an hour and is all done chairside in one office visit.
What to expect after the treatment
Recovery is often immediate and there are no restrictions on your new restoration – simply treat it as you would any other tooth. Some patients experience soreness after the procedure is completed, often associated with what we call a “high bite.” A high bite means that the restoration is seated up higher than your natural tooth and will cause moderate to severe pain if not corrected. A high bite can be adjusted very simply by Dr. Omeltschenko in a matter of minutes. If you experience soreness or pain after your restoration is completed, call the office and schedule a time to come in for an adjustment.
As with any dental treatment, the success and longevity of the work depends on how well you maintain it. It is important that you follow any home care instructions, including oral hygiene and dietary instructions, come in for routine exams and cleanings, take prescribed medications and report to the office any changes in your health status.
How much does an onlay cost?
While dentist’s fees vary, in Cincinnati the average price range for an onlay, whether it is a CEREC onlay or a lab onlay , is $850 – $1,200.