Onlays

Happily finding the middle ground between fillings and crowns.

At VICI Dental, we are dedicated to providing you with a healthy smile whilst preserving tooth structure for your future.

What are Dental Onlays?

Onlays are another method of filling a tooth that is damaged by trauma or tooth decay. The difference between these and a filling is that fillings are completed using layers of composite resin – as a conservative and aesthetic measure. In contrast, onlays are custom made restorations from a lab that are cemented to the tooth for strength and stability, much like a crown.

What is the difference between onlays and crowns?

A crown is a strong, protective “covering” which covers all visible surfaces of the tooth. In contrast, an onlay will sit inside and atop the tooth to include some of the biting surface. Both are made in a dental laboratory for precision fit and strength.

What are onlays made of?

The materials used will depend on the state of your natural tooth, signs of wear, and your teeth’ strength. They can be made of tooth coloured porcelain or hard-wearing composite resin for aesthetics, or they can be made from gold or zirconia for added strength. The material used will be discussed, and all available options will be given at your initial consultation appointment.

What are the advantages of this treatment?

We believe in delivering ethical dentistry to all. This treatment is a happy medium between having a filling and a crown. This “in-between” stage means that we can preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.