can onlay ever be used instead of crown for RCT

[lilone]

The title says it really. If a person has to have RCT on a molar but the cusps are unaffected by decay, can they opt for an onlay instead of a crown so as to destroy less natural tooth. From a dentists perspective, the tooth is dead anyway, but if the patient didn't want to have their tooth drilled to a peg to fit the crown could an onlay provide enough support?

 

[Gordon]

Re: can onlay ever be used instead of crown for RC

Yep, so long as the onlay is brought over the top of the cusps to "shoe" them, and give some support.