The middle ground between a filling and a crown — preserving more of your natural tooth while restoring strength and function.
Keeps more of your natural tooth than a crown.
Porcelain and composite options blend seamlessly.
Custom-made for long-lasting strength.
Lab-crafted for comfort and accuracy.
Talk to our team about whether an onlay is the right option for your tooth.
When a back tooth is too damaged or worn for a simple filling, but still has enough healthy structure to avoid a full crown, an onlay is often the perfect middle ground. Onlays cover the chewing surface and one or more cusps of a tooth, restoring its strength, shape and bite — while preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible.
An onlay is a custom-made restoration that fits onto the biting surface of a back tooth. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth down to the gum line, an onlay only covers the parts that actually need restoring. It’s sometimes called a “partial crown”.
Onlays are typically made from:
Tooth-coloured material that blends naturally with your smile. A good balance of aesthetics and function.
The strongest aesthetic result. Highly durable and natural-looking — ideal for visible teeth.
Traditional and extremely long-lasting. Sometimes chosen by patients for molars where durability is the priority.
Your dentist will recommend the most suitable material based on the tooth’s position, the forces on it, and your preferences.
Onlays are often recommended when:
For teeth that are more heavily broken down, a crown may still be the better option. For smaller cavities, a filling is usually all that’s needed. Onlays sit cleanly between the two.
Onlays typically take two visits:
1
The damaged portion of the tooth is removed, a digital or traditional impression is taken, and a temporary covering is placed.
2
The custom onlay is tried in, checked for fit and bite, and permanently bonded in place.
At Spixworth Dental, onlays are made by a UK-based dental lab to ensure the highest-quality materials and fit.
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, onlays typically last 10–15 years — often longer for gold or high-grade ceramic.
Where a restoration is clinically necessary, the NHS will usually cover a filling or a crown under the relevant band. Onlays are not typically available on the NHS.
Premium onlay options in ceramic, composite and gold are available privately. Your dentist will talk you through all the options and costs before anything starts.
See our Fees page for current pricing.
Speak to Spixworth Dental Practice about the best way to restore your tooth while preserving as much natural structure as possible.
Spixworth Dental Practice
86 Crostwick Lane, Spixworth,
Norwich, NR10 3AF
