A restoration replacing one cusp of a tooth, made outside the mouth.
An onlay makes it possible to replace one cusp or almost the entire chewing surface of a tooth, and it is made outside the patient’s mouth. An onlay is an excellent alternative to rebuilding teeth with large light-cured composite fillings.
Onlays are most often made of ceramic, but light-cured composite material or precious metals can also be used. With the CEREC method and milled ceramic, the problem can be solved in a single visit. Otherwise, impressions of the teeth have to be taken, the restoration made in the laboratory and the onlay fixed only at the next visit.
Using an onlay is a gentler way of rebuilding a tooth than making a dental crown, which requires more extensive preparation of the tooth.
