Porcelain Onlays in North Miami Beach, FL

Repair Dental Fillings and Protect Your Teeth From Cavities

Suffering from a damaged tooth or a worn-down dental filling? Here at Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry, we understand how important a healthy, beautiful smile is. That’s why we offer porcelain onlays, a long-lasting and natural-looking solution to restore teeth and enhance oral health.

Our team of experienced dentists in North Miami Beach can provide you with exceptional porcelain onlay treatment in just two comfortable appointments. Contact us today at (305) 945-0909 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how porcelain dental onlays can benefit you!

What are Porcelain Onlays?

Porcelain onlays, also known as partial crowns, are custom-designed dental restorations used to repair teeth with moderate damage. Unlike traditional dental crowns, which cover the entire visible portion of the tooth, onlays conserve more of your natural tooth structure. They’re made from durable porcelain material that is color-matched to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.

Benefits of Porcelain Onlays

Porcelain onlays offer several advantages over traditional fillings and crowns:

Preserves Tooth Structure: Onlays require minimal removal of healthy tooth enamel, compared to crowns which necessitate more extensive removal. This helps maintain the strength and integrity of your natural tooth.
Durability & Strength: Porcelain is a highly durable material that can withstand normal chewing and biting forces. This makes onlays a long-lasting solution for repairing damaged teeth.
Natural Appearance: Custom-crafted porcelain onlays are meticulously colored and shaped to match the surrounding teeth, resulting in a natural-looking restoration that blends flawlessly with your smile.
Protects Teeth: Onlays act as a protective barrier, shielding your tooth from further damage caused by decay, cracks, or fractures. This can help prevent the need for more extensive dental procedures.
Improved Functionality: Onlays restore the functionality of your tooth, allowing you to chew comfortably and efficiently.

What Can Porcelain Onlays Fix?

Porcelain onlays are a versatile solution for addressing a variety of dental concerns, including:

Large Cavities: When a cavity is too extensive for a traditional filling but doesn’t warrant a full crown, a porcelain onlay can restore the tooth structure and functionality.
Damaged Fillings: Worn-down or broken fillings can be replaced with a more durable and aesthetically pleasing porcelain onlay.
Cracked or Fractured Teeth: Minor cracks and fractures in the tooth cusp (chewing surface) can often be repaired using a porcelain onlay, preserving the natural tooth structure.
Cosmetically Unsightly Fillings: If you have a metal filling that is noticeable and detracts from your smile, a porcelain onlay can provide a more natural-looking alternative.

The Porcelain Onlay Placement Process

Initial Consultation and Assessment

During your initial visit, your North Miami Beach dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and discuss your concerns. X-rays may be taken to assess the full picture of the damage and determine if a porcelain onlay is the most suitable solution for your situation. If onlays are the right choice for you, your dentist will explain the procedure in detail and address any questions.

To ensure a pain-free experience, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. Once numb, any decay or damaged fillings will be meticulously removed to prepare the tooth for the onlay.

Impression Taking and Temporary Restoration

After preparing the tooth, your dentist will take precise impressions of the surface of your tooth and the surrounding bite. These impressions will be used by a dental lab to create your custom-made porcelain onlay that perfectly matches your unique tooth structure and surrounding teeth.

To protect your tooth while your permanent onlay is being fabricated, a temporary restoration will be placed on the prepared tooth. This temporary filling will allow you to eat and speak normally until your next appointment.

Permanent Onlay Placement and Aftercare

At your second appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary restoration and carefully examine the fit and aesthetics of your custom-made porcelain onlay. Once everything looks perfect and you’re happy with the appearance, they will securely bond the onlay to your tooth using a strong dental adhesive.

Caring for Your Porcelain Onlay

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for ensuring the longevity and optimal function of your porcelain onlay. Here’s how to care for your porcelain onlay treatment yourself:

Brushing & Flossing: Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles around the onlay and gumline.
Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist, typically every six months. These appointments allow your dentist to monitor the health of your onlay, check for signs of wear or chipping, and perform any necessary maintenance.
Avoid Damaging Habits: Refrain from habits that can put undue stress on your onlay, such as chewing on hard objects (ice, candy), using your teeth to open packages, or grinding your teeth.
Diet: Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages, as these can contribute to decay and potentially damage your onlay.
Mouthwash: Consider using fluoride mouthwash as part of your daily routine to strengthen your teeth and gums around the onlay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does receiving porcelain onlays hurt?

No, receiving porcelain onlays shouldn’t hurt. Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area before the procedure, so you shouldn’t feel discomfort. The procedure is also minimally invasive, involving only the removal of a small portion of your tooth structure to accommodate the onlay material.

Are porcelain onlays permanent?

Porcelain onlays aren’t permanent, but they can last a long time, typically 10 to 15 years with proper care. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and attending regular dental checkups. During your biannual visits, your dentist will be able to assess the condition of your onlays and determine if they need to be replaced.

Does insurance cover porcelain onlays?

Most dental insurance providers cover porcelain onlays since they’re a common treatment for repairing damaged fillings or tooth decay. However, you should contact your insurance provider directly to confirm the specifics of your coverage for the treatment with porcelain onlays.

Do porcelain onlays look natural?

Yes, porcelain onlays are designed to look natural. They’re custom-made to match the color and translucency of your surrounding teeth, so they should blend in seamlessly with your smile.

Fix Your Smile and Dental Restorations with Tooth Onlays

If you have a damaged filling or suffer from dental decay, custom porcelain onlays can fix your tooth while enhancing your appearance and oral health. At Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry, our skilled team of dentists can examine your smile to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Don’t worry about having to redo your filling — leave that to us. Contact our North Miami Beach practice today by calling (305) 945-0909 or filling out our online contact form. Dr. Abbo and our team proudly serve patients living in the Norland, Ojus, and Keystone Islands areas.