What Is a Dental Onlay and When Do You Need One?

At our Fremont practice, we’re committed to helping you maintain your natural smile for as long as possible. That’s why we value dental onlays as a conservative yet highly effective treatment option. But what exactly is an onlay, and how do you know if it’s right for you?

Understanding Dental Onlays

A dental onlay is a custom restoration designed for teeth with decay or damage. It sits beautifully between a filling and a crown. Unlike fillings that are placed directly in your mouth, onlays are crafted outside the mouth in a dental lab, giving them superior strength and fit.

When Are Onlays the Right Choice?

We recommend onlays when decay or damage is too extensive for a standard filling to provide adequate protection. A filling that’s too large can actually weaken your tooth and lead to breakage—that’s where an onlay becomes essential. If there’s enough healthy tooth structure remaining, an onlay offers better durability than a filling without requiring the extensive preparation a crown demands.

The Benefits You Can Count On

As Dr. Jerry Yang explains, “You get to keep a lot more of your healthy tooth. An onlay is much more longer lasting and protective for the tooth than a filling. So you get kind of the best of both worlds.” Because they’re bonded to your tooth, you’ll experience less sensitivity afterward and better protection against micro-leakage that can sometimes occur with fillings.

The procedure is straightforward and comfortable. We’ll numb the area, carefully prepare your tooth, and create a precise 3D scan. Your custom onlay is then fabricated in our lab and permanently bonded to your tooth. Most onlays last anywhere from 5 to 10 years with proper care, so you can feel confident in your restoration for years.