Onlay - how much of tooth is covered?

[Jojo3399]

Hello,

I have asked questions about an onlay before and I now have my appointment booked in for 4 weeks time which was a big step for me. However today I am so incredibly anxious I’m thinking about calling to cancel it.

I am so worried about the onlay feeling like a foreign body in my mouth. I’m over 40 years old and only have fillings so far.

They’ve said it will be a lithium disilicate onlay.

I’m also massively worried that it’s going to cover more of my tooth than I think. And once’s it’s done I obviously can’t go back. As you can tell I have dental / health anxiety.

I now know it will cover the top surface of the tooth completely as I asked my dentist that question. But I just can’t picture how much of the sides it’s going to cover and the depth of it. I’ve googled onlays and get a whole range of different images.

I assume the dentist also don’t know the size until they start to shave the tooth down at the first appointment?

Do onlays usually cover 1/4 of the tooth sides or more like 1/2 or more of the whole tooth?

The tooth has had RCT (6 months ago) and has a permanent composite filling in it. It’s a lower premolar.

I really don’t feel able to go to the appointments due to my fear right now so think I’m going to have to cancel the appointments and leave it with the permanent filling.

I just feel so frightened.

 

[Gordon]

There's absolutely no way I can answer this without examining you.
I have porcelain 3 onlays. My tongue can't distinguish between them and natural tooth even when I'm deliberately looking for them.

I think you're worrying over nothing TBH.