Dental Crowns & Onlays
Dental crowns are a type of restoration that Dr. Lori Logan recommends to improve the structure, strength, and stability of a tooth. When you have a tooth that has broken, fractured, or cracked, or if you recently had a root canal, a crown can improve its integrity.
Crowns also help to restore your bite, making eating and chewing more comfortable. There are many types of tooth crowns available, such as ceramic, porcelain, and same-day.
Why We Recommend Dental Crowns
The first step is an examination at our Cypress dental office with Dr. Logan to determine if you would benefit from having a crown placed. Most people who want a crown placed over a specific tooth will benefit from having the procedure done. There are several reasons why Dr. Logan may recommend a crown, including:
You have broken, fractured, or cracked tooth
- You have a root-canaled tooth that needs protection
- A tooth has a very large filling that is compromising the integrity of its structure
- You have recently had a dental implant placed and need a crown to restore function and appearance.
Most healthy adult patients are good candidates for tooth crowns. In some cases, even teenagers can benefit from them. Because this restoration can be made with either porcelain or ceramic, it looks and feels completely natural.
The Steps for Getting a Dental Crown
You will come into the office and receive anesthesia to make the procedure more comfortable. Dr. Logan will file down the tooth to make room for the crown and take impressions that she sends off to a lab that makes your crown for you.
At your second appointment, our dentist will adjust the crown for proper fit and cement it securely in place. Dental crowns can last ten years or more with proper care and maintenance.
How We Use Tooth Onlays
An onlay is a type of dental restoration that we use as an alternative to fillings and crowns. You can think of an onlay as the middle ground between a smaller filling and a larger crown needing to be placed on a tooth.
Dr. Lori Logan may recommend an onlay if you have a large amount of decay that isn’t compromising the tooth enough to warrant a full crown. Like all our dental restorations, we design your onlay to look and feel like a natural part of your tooth.
Some of the reasons you may need an onlay are:
- You have a large amount of decay.
- There is a chance a filling may crack the tooth.
- The tooth won’t benefit from a full crown.
- Cracks and breaks are present in the tooth.
Steps for Getting an Onlay
First, you will come to our Cypress dental office for a consultation appointment and exam. The area to be fitted for an onlay will be slightly buffed out and filed down. An impression is made and sent off to a lab that fabricates the onlay for you.
The next appointment involves coming back into the office, so Dr. Logan can place the onlay. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect the onlay to last for many years. Onlays are ideal for maintaining the strength and structure of compromised teeth.
Do You Need a Dental Crown or Onlay?
Dr. Logan and her team make the process for getting a dental crown in Cypress easy and efficient. Please call us if you think you might be a candidate for either a tooth crown or onlay.
