Onlays in West Hills
You bite into something crunchy and feel a sharp twinge in a back molar. When you look closely, a corner of the tooth has chipped away, or an old filling has started to crack around the edges. The damage seems too large for a simple filling, but most of the tooth still looks healthy. For patients in this situation, including many who make the trip to us from West Hills, an onlay is often the restoration we discuss first.
An onlay is a custom restoration that repairs a damaged tooth by covering the chewing surface and one or more of its cusps, the raised points on the top of a back tooth. It sits between a filling and a crown. A filling treats a smaller area inside the tooth, and a crown covers the entire visible tooth. An onlay rebuilds only the part that needs it.
Onlays are closely related to inlays, which we also provide. An inlay fits within the cusps, and an onlay extends over them. During your exam, we look at how much structure is missing and where the weak spots are. Then we explain which option makes the most sense for that tooth.
Many of our onlay patients come to us with a tooth that has outgrown its old filling. Large fillings can weaken the walls of a tooth over time. We also see teeth with decay that reaches a cusp, and teeth that have chipped or fractured but still have a healthy foundation.
Onlays can also be a good fit for people who want to keep as much of their natural tooth as possible. Because a crown covers the whole tooth, preparing for one usually means reshaping more structure. If a tooth is too badly broken for an onlay, or the damage extends into the nerve, we will tell you that directly. Our team also offers root canal therapy and crowns, so we can recommend what each tooth actually needs.
What are the benefits of choosing an onlay?
The main benefit of an onlay is that it strengthens a damaged tooth while saving more of your natural structure. It is a conservative repair, which means we keep the healthy parts of your tooth and restore only what is missing. Here is what that means for you:
- More natural tooth preserved compared with a full crown
- Reinforcement for weakened cusps, which helps protect the tooth when you chew
- A custom fit, because each onlay is made for your specific tooth
- A natural look that blends in with the surrounding teeth
- A practical middle option when a filling is not enough and a crown may be more than you need
Our office has an on-site dental lab, which keeps fabrication closely connected to the team caring for you. For busy West Hills families, it also helps to have restorative, preventive, and specialty care under one roof. We describe ourselves as a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care.
What happens during the onlay process?
Getting an onlay usually takes two visits: one to prepare the tooth and one to place the final restoration. At the first appointment, we examine the tooth and use imaging to check the damage. We gently remove the decay or the old filling, shape the tooth, and capture an accurate impression. You leave with a temporary restoration that protects the tooth while your onlay is made.
At the second visit, we remove the temporary, check the fit and your bite, and bond the onlay securely in place. We make small adjustments until the tooth feels comfortable when you close and chew. If dental visits make you nervous, please tell us. We offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist is part of our team.
How do I care for my onlay, and how can I pay for it?
You care for an onlay the same way you care for your natural teeth: brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with regular cleanings and exams. Pay attention to the edges where the onlay meets your tooth, since plaque can collect there. If you grind your teeth at night, ask us about a night guard to help protect your restoration.
Some patients notice mild sensitivity for a short time after placement. If your bite feels uneven or something seems wrong, call us. We offer emergency dental appointments when problems can't wait.
For payment, we accept all major PPO insurance plans and file your claim for you. We also welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available. Before treatment begins, we review your options so you know what to expect. Dr. Dar Radfar and our team look forward to helping West Hills patients protect their teeth and keep chewing comfortably. Call our office to schedule an exam.