All Porcelain Crowns, Onlays and Inlays in Bowling Green

At the Bowling Green, OH dental practice of Dr. Derik E. Utz, we offer patients beautiful, cosmetic dental restorations that look as good as they feel. Our all porcelain crowns, onlays, and inlays protect and support natural dental structure, and blend seamlessly with your smile. Our goal is always to preserve as much of your tooth as we can, and we will choose the appropriate restoration accordingly starting with the most conservative, fillings. We then attempt an inlay or onlay, and use crowns to replace extensively damaged or missing teeth. All porcelain restorations look great, but they’re also beneficial for patients who have sensitivities to metal. While amalgam fillings may not be extensive enough to cause irritation, these larger restorations often do.

Dental Inlays

Inlays, as the name suggests, are used when there's damage to tops of teeth in-between the cusps (pointed or raised parts of teeth). This is a good option when tooth decay has moved beyond the point of filling restoration, but before damage has advanced to the inner pulp layer of the tooth requiring root canal therapy.

Dental Onlays

Onlays are used for decay that has damaged the cusps of the tooth. An onlay replaces the cusp structure, and lays over the top of the tooth. Whenever possible, we use an only to restore the tooth rather than removing additional dentition to make room for a full crown.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are used for the most extensive restorative procedures. When a tooth is severely damaged from decay or trauma, a crown fits over the top completely covering remaining parts of the tooth restoring the shape and strength. Crowns are also used to finish root canal treatments. Teeth that undergo root canal therapy are significantly weakened, and a dental crown protects the remaining tooth against further decay or damage. To replace missing teeth, crowns can be attached to dental implants to restore patients' smiles without impacting other teeth. For patients who aren’t good candidates for dental implants, crown and bridge restorations are used to permanently replace a missing tooth. A single dental appliance is created to crown the two teeth surrounding the empty socket and attach them to a replacement “bridge” tooth that fills the gap.

Restoration Process

Bowling Green dentist, Dr. Utz, prepares the damaged tooth to receive the necessary porcelain restoration by removing decay and shaping and polishing the tooth. Then, we take impressions of the tooth to be repaired and the entire bite. These impressions are sent to our trusted dental lab where your custom porcelain restoration is crafted. While your crown, inlay, or onlay is being made, you may have a temporary restoration placed depending on the location and severity of damage. Once your restoration is complete, you'll return to our Bowling Green dental office to have your permanent restoration bonded to your tooth. We will then further shape or adjust your restoration to fit comfortably into your smile. 

Call to Schedule an Appointment

Call our Bowling Green dental practice at (419) 352-8679 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Utz. We're here to help you determine the most conservative tooth restoration, and provide you with superior dental care.