Dental Crowns

A damaged tooth that still has a healthy foundation can be protected and visually improved with the addition of a porcelain onlay. Porcelain and ceramic crowns, also called caps, are natural-looking covers that fit securely over a compromised tooth to correct breaks, fractures or stains.

The Porcelain Onlay Process

A dental crown is permanently bonded over a tooth to cover and protect if from further damage. Generally, a dental crown takes two appointments. During the first appointment, the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken, and a temporary crown is created until the permanent crown is ready. The impression is used by the dental laboratory to create a permanent crown that is customized for an exact fit. You will wear the temporary crown for a couple of weeks and then return for a second appointment where the permanent restoration is placed. That is when the permanent crown is cemented permanently.

In the illustration, you can see how the crown is made to fit precisely over the prepared tooth, just like a cap.

Single Visit Porcelain Onlays

If the idea of a temporary crown does not appeal to you, you may be interested in our one-visit CEREC crowns. This unique CAD/CAM system enables us to craft ceramic restorations without needing impressions or temporaries. To learn more about this innovative system, please visit our CEREC crowns page.