If you have a large area of decay in your tooth, the doctors prefer to try to conserve the tooth structure by doing porcelain onlays whenever possible. Onlays cover one or more of the cusps (bumps) in your tooth. Onlays, which are bonded into place, strengthen the tooth and keep it looking natural. Gum tissue stays healthier around onlays, too, particularly when compared to a crown that uses metal parts.
We use strong, tooth-colored porcelain for our onlays, inlays and crowns. Porcelain material closely matches the composition of natural tooth structure. This means when you eat hot food and then drink something cold, the restoration and tooth expand and contract at almost equal rates so your tooth does not crack.