Onlay
What is a Dental Onlay? (The "Just Right" Restoration You've Never Heard Of)
When a tooth is damaged, you might think you have only two options: a filling for small cavities or a full crown for major problems. But what about the cases in between? What if a filling isn't strong enough, but a full crown seems too aggressive?
For this "just right" scenario, we have the Dental Onlay.
Think of it this way:
- A filling is like patching a small hole in a wall.
- A crown is like replacing the entire wall for structural reasons.
- An onlay is like a custom-fabricated panel that perfectly fits over a larger area of damage, reinforcing the wall without tearing down the parts that are still perfectly strong.
An onlay, sometimes called a "partial crown," is a solid piece of porcelain or ceramic that covers the chewing surface of a tooth, including one or more of its cusps (the pointed tips). It's the ultimate tooth-preserving restoration.
The Onlay Advantage: Why We Prioritize Saving Your Tooth
Our guiding philosophy is to preserve as much of your healthy, natural tooth structure as possible. A full crown requires us to shave down the entire circumference of the tooth. An onlay allows us to be far more conservative, and that has huge benefits for you.
- Maximum Tooth Preservation: This is the #1 reason to choose an onlay. By only removing the damaged or weak parts of the tooth, we leave the healthy enamel and dentin untouched. More of your own tooth is always better.
- Strength and Reinforcement: A large filling can actually act like a wedge, putting your tooth at risk of cracking over time. An onlay is a single, solid piece that is bonded to the tooth, effectively holding it together and protecting it from fracture.
- Decades of Durability: Because they are custom-milled from high-strength materials like lithium disilicate, onlays are far more durable than fillings and are designed to last for many years, often as long as crowns.
- A Perfect, Sealed Fit: Onlays are created from a precise digital scan of your tooth. This results in a seamless fit that helps seal out bacteria and prevent future decay.
When is an Onlay the Perfect Choice?
We typically recommend an onlay when an old, large filling has failed, or when a new cavity is too extensive for a simple filling but not severe enough to warrant a full crown. It’s the ideal solution for a tooth that has lost a cusp or has a hairline crack that needs to be protected.
By choosing an onlay, you are making the most conservative choice for your tooth's long-term health. You are keeping your options open for the future. If an onlay ever needs to be replaced decades from now, there is usually still plenty of healthy tooth structure remaining to place a crown if needed.
Here's what we want you to remember:
A dental onlay is a testament to conservative, tooth-preserving dentistry. It's the ideal solution for restoring a damaged tooth by only replacing what's broken, while saving everything that's still healthy. It's stronger than a filling and less invasive than a crown.
Every patient's situation is unique.
Deciding between a filling, an onlay, or a crown requires a careful diagnosis and a commitment to preserving your natural teeth whenever possible. We take the time to show you the exact condition of your tooth and explain why one option may be a better long-term investment for you than another.
Have questions about a large filling or a cracked tooth?
Or wondering if you could benefit from a more conservative approach than a full crown? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.