Frequently Asked Questions

When would an onlay be preferable to a crown? Is one procedure more expensive than the other? Is an onlay as durable as a crown?

There are many factors that go into recommending treatment for a specific tooth. Without trying to influence your decision, let me explain the two procedures. A crown covers the entire tooth and an onlay covers only the chewing surface of the tooth. Either restoration can be made from gold or porcelain and there are indications for both. A crown removes more natural tooth structure and replaces it with porcelain or gold, whereas an onlay leaves the sides of the natural tooth. Many dentists consider onlays to be a "type" of crown, and expect their longevity to be equal.

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