If you have a cracked, decayed, or damaged tooth, your Conway dentist may recommend a restoration called a dental onlay. A tooth onlay is typically used by Dr. Mulandi when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired using a regular dental filling. Dental onlays help save the healthy portion of a damaged tooth. After the procedure, at Eastern Slope Dental, it’s important to take good care of the restored tooth and its onlay.
Care After Tooth Preparation
After Dr. Mulandi prepares your tooth for the dental onlay, you may experience a little sensitivity or tenderness in the tooth and nearby gum tissue. If it should last longer than a day or two, contact our Eastern Slope Dental office. Immediately following the procedure, you may be numb. Avoid biting, eating, or chewing on that side until the area is no longer numb. If you are hungry, eat soft foods like yogurt until the anesthesia’s effect has worn off.
Taking Care of A Temporary Tooth Onlay
After a temporary tooth onlay is placed, eat softer foods and avoid crunchy, chewy, or hard foods. Continue brushing and flossing daily. When flossing, be gentle and take extra care to keep from loosening the temporary tooth onlay. You may want to slowly pull the floss out by one end to prevent putting too much pressure on the temporary onlay. Talk to Dr. Mulandi about flossing options during this stage of the tooth restoration process. If the temporary dental onlay becomes loose or breaks, call our Conway Dentist office to discuss how and when it can be repaired.
Care After a Permanent Dental Onlay at Eastern Slope Dental
It’s important to avoid chewing on foods that are hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky for 24 hours after the tooth onlay has been placed. This allows the cement to bond fully. It is natural to have some mild to moderate sensitivity to cold and hot foods. But it should go away after a few weeks. Don’t chew on hard objects or eat ice after the procedure as it can damage the onlay.
Ongoing Care of a Dental Onlay
Good oral hygiene habits go a long way to protect your teeth and dental onlay. Continue to brush after meals and snacks and floss at least once a day, preferably at bedtime. Between brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with water to help remove food particles. Using mouthwash as part of your oral care routine helps dislodge any particles missed during brushing and flossing. Also, keep your regular checkups with your Conway dentist to help maintain your dental onlay and keep it in good condition.
Enjoy Your New Tooth Onlay!
Dental onlays are constructed from highly durable and strong materials. They can stand up to regular wear and tear. You should be able to eat normally as soon as the onlay is placed and the anesthesia has worn off. Be sure to follow any instructions Dr. Mulandi provides. If you tend to grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to him about it. He can create a protective nightguard that can help minimize stress on your tooth onlay that can be caused by bruxism.
Contact Your Conway Dentist
If you are ready to explore a smile restoration using dental onlay, contact our Eastern Slope Dental office to schedule an appointment. Dr. Mulandi will be happy to discuss restorative options like tooth onlays that can improve your appearance and smile.
