Dental Onlays

SMILES ARE DR. HAWARY'S LIFE WORK, with over 35 years of experience in advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry, Dr. Hawary specializes in creating natural-looking onlays that restore both function and beauty to your smile. Onlays can be used to repair damaged or decayed teeth, offering a durable and aesthetic alternative to full crowns or large fillings.

Dental onlays are custom-made restorations designed to cover the biting surface and one or more cusps of a tooth. Crafted from high-quality porcelain or composite materials, they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth for a beautiful, long-lasting result.

Onlays are ideal for preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible while providing strength and support. They are used to treat issues such as cracked teeth, large cavities, worn enamel, or old metal fillings, and can be precisely matched in shape, color, and texture to the surrounding teeth.

Top Onlays in Irvine

Dr. Hawary is the 60th world wide dentist to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Fellowship of the AACD is the highest level of achievement available to the AACD. Dr. Hawary became the first Fellow of the AACD in Orange County and the only Fellow in Irvine.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has awarded Dr. Emil Hawary with multiple gold medals for his Smile makeover cases

Dr. Hawary is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). He is a board certified Diplomat and a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the world’s largest dental implants organization.

Not All Onlays Are Created Equal

Dental onlays, sometimes called “partial crowns” or “indirect fillings,” cover one or more of the cusps on the biting surface of a tooth in order to treat cavities, cracks, or broken teeth. Dental Onlays are a good option when the tooth is too damaged to support a dental filling, but is not damaged enough to require a full crown.

Inlays, onlays, and crowns can all repair damage to teeth and restore the tooth’s structure. The particular treatment you receive will depend on the extent of the damage, your dentist’s recommendation, and your own personal preference. We at Art of Dentistry Institute can help you determine the best procedure for your situation.

AMALGAM FILLINGS CONTAIN MERCURY THAT IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, dental amalgam fillings, or silver fillings, contain elemental mercury. Mercury fillings continually vaporize (i.e. leak mercury vapor) in the mouth especially when chewing, brushing, or drinking hot liquids. Mercury is known to cause adverse health effects on the brain and kidneys.

COULD YOUR POSTERIOR WHITE FILLING BE CRACKING MORE THAN JUST TEETH?

Most people think, when cavities are filled with composite resin or replace their old amalgam fillings with composite resin fillings, they took care of the problem permanently, but posterior composite resin fillings are plastic. They’re not the best for long term for maintaining the bite and sustaining and protecting the teeth.

Posterior composite resin fillings are not the best long-term solution for maintaining the bite and protecting the teeth.

Composite resin fillings have weak wear resistance and can weaken the structure of the tooth over time. As white fillings wear faster, it can induce grinding then worn-down teeth, unbalanced bite that with time will cause more problems that make you spend more money, like the need for root canal, or cut more tooth structure for a crown or even losing the tooth leading to implants. Worn down fillings can also cause TMJ issues like clicking sounds on your jaw and/or facial pain.

Furthermore, full crown is not the optimal solution as it is more aggressive cutting of tooth structure which may lead to gum irritation and recession or root canal in the future.

What is the best option?

An onlay is a piece of porcelain and ceramic that fits over most of your prepared tooth. It may be recommended to place an onlay when your tooth structure is weak and they suspect that it would end up cracking if filled with a regular filling. Using an onlay may also be ideal because it preserves healthy tooth structure while restoring damaged or decayed areas, which helps ensure function and help to preserve as much healthy tooth as possible.

Porcelain onlays often are the best option as they require less cutting of the tooth structure, at the same time they provide a more wear resistance that reinforces the tooth permanently and conservatively.

Candidates for Onlays in Irvine

You may be a candidate for onlays if one or more of your teeth have cavities, cracks, chips, or damage that would typically require a large filling. Onlays are also an excellent option for replacing old metal fillings with a more natural-looking and durable restoration.

Onlays differ from other dental restorations based on how much of the tooth they cover. Inlays are smaller and fit within the grooves between the cusps on the biting surface of a tooth. Onlays cover one or more cusps, providing extra strength and protection. Crowns cover the entire visible portion of a tooth and usually require filing down the tooth to fit properly.

Types of Dental Onlays

Depending on your budget and aesthetic needs, dental onlays can be made from gold, composite resin, or porcelain.

Composite resin onlays are tooth-colored, making them a popular choice for a natural appearance. However, they are more prone to staining and wear compared to other materials.

Gold onlays are typically used when a natural look is less important, often placed on teeth toward the back of the mouth. Gold is highly durable and offers excellent longevity, making it a strong restorative option.

Porcelain onlays provide the most natural and esthetic appearance, closely mimicking the look of real teeth. They are also very durable and resistant to staining and discoloration, making them an excellent choice for both function and beauty.

Dental Onlays Procedure Process

Dr. Hawary will prepare the tooth to be treated by removing any tooth decay. An impression will then be made of the tooth’s structure and will be sent to a dental laboratory to manufacture the onlay. Since it may take two weeks for the onlay to be made, a temporary dental filling will be put in place to preserve the tooth. At a subsequent dental visit, the temporary filling will be removed and the onlay will be cemented onto the tooth.

Art of Dentistry Institute 2646 Dupont Dr., Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92612 Tel: 949-620-3793 Fax: 949-955-3377 info@artofdentistryoc.com -->

Proudly Serving Irvine, Orange County and the surrounding areas: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim Hills, Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Tustin and Dubai.

Interested in bettering your smile? Provide your information below and we will reach out to you!

Interested in learning more about cosmetic dentistry? We can help!

• Enter your Cell Phone Number, area code first.
• Enter your text message in the box.
• A copy of this text will be sent to the office and to your cell phone. The office’s reply will also be sent to your cell phone where you can continue the text conversation.