Crowns & onlays
Strong, custom-made restorations designed to rebuild damaged teeth, protect weakened tooth structure and restore your smile naturally.
What are crowns and onlays?
Crowns and onlays are custom-made restorations used when a tooth has lost too much structure to be predictably repaired with a filling alone.
A crown covers and protects the whole visible part of the tooth, whereas an onlay replaces only the weakened or damaged areas. Both can restore strength, shape and function while being carefully designed to blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.
The right choice depends on how much healthy tooth remains and how much protection the tooth needs.
When might you need a crown or onlay?
These restorations are usually recommended when a tooth needs more support and protection than a filling can provide.
Large fillings
Teeth containing large existing fillings can gradually become weakened and may need additional protection.
Cracked teeth
An onlay or crown can help protect a weakened or cracked tooth from further fracture when appropriate.
After root canal treatment
Some root-filled teeth benefit from additional protection, particularly back teeth exposed to heavy chewing forces.
Extensive decay
If decay has removed a significant amount of tooth structure, a crown or onlay may offer greater strength than a filling.
What's the difference between a crown and an onlay?
Both protect weakened teeth, but they differ in how much of the natural tooth they cover.
Dental Crown
A crown surrounds and covers the entire visible part of the tooth. It is generally used when the tooth has been extensively weakened and needs greater overall protection.
- Covers the whole tooth
- Provides extensive protection
- Useful when little healthy tooth remains
Dental Onlay
An onlay replaces only the weakened or damaged parts of the tooth. This can allow more healthy natural tooth structure to be retained.
- Covers only the areas that need protection
- Preserves more healthy tooth
- Excellent when sufficient tooth remains
Preserving as much natural tooth as possible
Our approach is always to preserve healthy natural tooth structure wherever we can.
If an onlay can provide the strength and protection a tooth needs, we may recommend this rather than preparing the whole tooth for a crown. Where a tooth is more extensively damaged, however, a full crown may provide the more predictable long-term solution.
Your dentist will assess the remaining tooth carefully and explain why a particular restoration is recommended.
Why choose a crown or onlay?
Modern restorative materials allow us to rebuild weakened teeth while combining strength with a natural appearance.
Protects weakened teeth
Crowns and onlays help protect teeth that have lost significant strength through decay, fracture or previous treatment.
Restores function
A carefully designed restoration can rebuild the shape of a tooth and allow it to function comfortably again.
Natural appearance
Modern ceramic materials can be matched closely to your surrounding teeth for a natural-looking result.
Custom made
Every restoration is designed specifically for the shape, bite and appearance of your individual tooth.
Precision fit
Careful planning and digital scanning help us achieve an accurate fit and a restoration that feels comfortable in your bite.
Designed to last
With appropriate care, crowns and onlays can provide reliable long-term protection for damaged teeth.
A real restorative result
Carefully planned restorations can rebuild damaged teeth while restoring both strength and a natural appearance.
Before 
After What are crowns and onlays made from?
Modern ceramic materials allow us to create restorations that combine strength with a very natural appearance.
In many situations we use tooth-coloured ceramic restorations that can be carefully matched to the surrounding teeth. The most suitable material depends on the position of the tooth, the forces placed upon it, the amount of natural tooth remaining and the aesthetic demands of the area.
Your dentist will recommend the material they believe is most appropriate for your individual tooth.
Precision digital dentistry
Where appropriate, we use digital scanning rather than traditional impression materials to capture the shape of your prepared tooth and surrounding bite.
The digital scan gives our laboratory detailed information to help create a precisely fitting restoration designed specifically for your mouth.
Once your final crown or onlay is ready, we carefully check the fit, appearance and bite before securely fitting it to the tooth.
Questions about crowns and onlays
Does having a crown or onlay hurt?
Local anaesthetic is normally used while the tooth is being prepared so treatment should be comfortable. Some temporary sensitivity can occur afterwards, but this usually settles.
How long do crowns and onlays last?
Their lifespan depends on factors including the condition of the underlying tooth, your bite, oral hygiene and whether you grind or clench your teeth. Good cleaning and regular dental reviews help protect both the restoration and the tooth underneath.
How do I know whether I need a filling, onlay or crown?
It largely depends on how much healthy tooth remains. Smaller defects may be suitable for a filling, while more extensively weakened teeth may need the additional protection of an onlay or crown.
Is an onlay better than a crown?
Neither is automatically better. An onlay can preserve more natural tooth where sufficient healthy structure remains. A heavily weakened tooth may require the additional coverage of a crown. We recommend the most appropriate option for the individual tooth.
Will my crown look natural?
Modern tooth-coloured ceramic materials can be carefully matched to the surrounding teeth. Shape, colour and position are all considered when designing the final restoration.
Can a crown or onlay break?
Like natural teeth, restorations can occasionally chip or fracture, particularly when exposed to very heavy biting forces or grinding. If you grind your teeth, we may recommend additional protection such as a night guard.
Can I eat normally with a crown or onlay?
Once the final restoration has been fitted and your dentist is satisfied with your bite, you should be able to use the tooth normally. As with natural teeth, avoiding very hard objects can help reduce unnecessary stress on the restoration.
What happens if I leave a weakened tooth untreated?
A weakened tooth may continue to fracture or deteriorate. In some cases this can eventually involve the nerve or make the tooth more difficult to restore. Your dentist will explain the likely risks of delaying treatment in your individual situation.
Have you been told you may need a crown?
Book a consultation and we'll assess the tooth, explain whether a filling, onlay or crown is most appropriate and talk you through your options.