A dental onlay is a custom restoration for a tooth that needs more than a filling but less than a crown. At our Sonoma, CA office, inlays and onlays rebuild only the damaged part of a tooth, so you keep more of your natural structure. An inlay fits inside the grooves of the tooth, while an onlay also covers one or more of its chewing points.
Every onlay we place is handcrafted by Avondale, a master ceramist lab, in the material that suits your tooth best. Most are lithium disilicate (e.max) porcelain, which is strong and matches your natural tooth color. For some back teeth, zirconia or gold can be a great fit. Dr. Oliver will walk you through the options and help you choose.
Filling, onlay, or crown? Each is right at a different stage. A dental filling is ideal for smaller cavities, while a dental crown protects a tooth weakened all the way around.
An onlay sits in between, strengthening the tooth while saving more of it. Waiting on a weak tooth can turn an onlay into a crown, so treating it at the right time pays off.
To us, boutique dental care means you matter: personal, cozy, unhurried, and held to an exceptionally high standard. That's the thinking behind every onlay at Sonoma Springs Dental, Dr. Riley Oliver's boutique dental home in Sonoma.
“What I love most about working with this team is the ladies themselves. They all have sparkling personalities, and they're all really fun.”
Chelsie, office manager
“My favorite part is the positive atmosphere and being able to help the Spanish-speaking community get access to care.”
Monsé, patient care coordinator
“I love that I can be myself in the office and with my patients, and I show it by wearing crazy colored scrubs each day.”
Cindy, registered dental assistant
“The office isn't a sterile medical atmosphere. It's homey, it's comfortable, it's an enjoyable place to be.”
Mandy, registered dental assistant
“I don't normally associate a dentist's office with being cozy and comforting, but this is. The work has been absolutely exemplary.”
Karen, patient
“This place is definitely not judgmental at all. You can open up about your past dental experiences, and there will be no judgment.”
Jocelyn, patient
“Ever since I was young, I dreaded going to the dentist, but I never expected to actually like coming here. They really treat you like family.”
Jahaziel, patient
Inlays and onlays are custom restorations for a tooth that needs more than a filling but less than a crown. An inlay fits inside the grooves of the tooth, while an onlay also covers one or more of its chewing points. Because we only replace what's damaged, you keep more of your natural tooth than you would with a crown. Only the treatment you actually need, never more.
No. We numb the tooth with local anesthetic before we begin, so most people feel a little pressure and nothing more. The tooth may feel a little tender afterward. If you're nervous, just tell us, and we'll go at your pace.
Two. At the first visit, we gently clean out the damaged area, take a quick iTero digital scan (no goopy impressions), and place a temporary to protect the tooth. At the second visit, we check the fit and your bite, then bond the finished onlay firmly in place.
Ours are handcrafted by Avondale, a master ceramist lab, in the material that suits your tooth best. Most are porcelain (lithium disilicate, also called e.max), which is strong and matches your natural tooth color. For some back teeth, zirconia or gold can be a great fit. Dr. Oliver will walk you through the options and help you choose.
It depends on how much healthy tooth is left, and each one is the right choice at a different stage. A filling is ideal for smaller cavities, while a crown protects a tooth that's cracked or weakened all the way around. An onlay sits in between: it strengthens the tooth while keeping more of your natural structure. We'll show you what we see and recommend only what your tooth needs.
With good care, inlays and onlays can last for many years. They're made from strong, durable materials and bonded directly to your tooth. Brushing, flossing, regular checkups, and a night guard if you grind all help them go the distance.
Most dental plans cover part of an inlay or onlay when it's needed to repair a damaged tooth. We accept all major insurances and will walk you through your estimate before we start, so there are no surprises. For any remaining balance, you can pay monthly with Cherry or CareCredit.
Right here at Sonoma Springs Dental, in our standalone office at 17776 Sonoma Hwy with parking right outside. Call us at (707) 935-8200 or visit our contact page for more options. We'll take a careful look and let you know whether an onlay, a filling, or something else is the best fit.
