At Sloan Family Dentistry, restorative care is guided by a simple principle: do what is necessary, do it conservatively, and do it exceptionally well. Whether addressing a small cavity or rebuilding a significantly damaged tooth, every restorative decision is made with the long-term health and preservation of your natural tooth as the primary goal. We believe great restorative dentistry should be virtually invisible, highly functional, and built to last.
Not every damaged or decayed tooth needs the same solution, and choosing the appropriate restoration is one of the most important decisions in dentistry. We take a conservative, evidence-based approach to this decision — evaluating a consistent set of clinical indicators to determine what will deliver the best long-term outcome for each individual tooth. Factors such as the extent and location of decay, the remaining tooth structure, the width of the cusps, and the presence of cracks or fractures all inform the decision between a composite filling and an indirect ceramic restoration. This isn’t a judgment call made differently from patient to patient — it is a structured, research-driven process aimed at one outcome: choosing the restoration most likely to protect and preserve your tooth for as long as possible.
For smaller, lower-risk situations, a tooth-colored composite resin filling is often the ideal solution — bonding directly to the tooth and restoring both function and appearance while preserving maximum healthy structure. When the clinical picture calls for more — whether due to significant decay, compromised cusps, or existing fractures — a ceramic onlay or crown provides the coverage and structural reinforcement the tooth needs to hold up long term. The distinction between an onlay, which covers only what needs protecting, and a full crown, which encases the entire tooth, again comes down to the same principle: we remove only what must be removed, and protect only what needs protecting.
All of our restorations — fillings, onlays, and crowns — are tooth-colored and metal-free. We use high-quality ceramic and composite resin materials that closely mimic the natural appearance and light-reflecting properties of real tooth enamel, delivering results that are as esthetic as they are functional.
Onlays and crowns are crafted by our dental laboratory and typically require two appointments. At your first visit, the tooth is carefully prepared and a precise impression is taken. We then fabricate a high-quality temporary restoration to protect the tooth and maintain your appearance and function while your permanent restoration is being crafted. At your second appointment, your finished restoration is carefully fitted, adjusted, and delivered — and we don’t consider the case complete until the fit, function, and appearance meet our standards.