About Dental Onlay
Key Highlights
-
Preserves more healthy natural tooth structure than a full crown.Provides exceptional strength and durability for chewing.Offers a precise, custom fit and a natural-looking aesthetic.Long-lasting solution with proper oral hygiene.Helps prevent further damage or fracture to the compromised tooth.
Who is this surgery for?
- Moderate to large cavities or decay that is too extensive for a standard filling.
- A fractured tooth where the damage does not extend below the gum line.
- To restore a tooth with a large, old filling that is failing or has recurrent decay.
- To replace a worn-down cusp or biting surface.
- To strengthen a tooth that is structurally weakened but not enough to require a crown.
How to prepare
- Initial consultation and examination, including X-rays, to assess the tooth.
- Discussion of treatment plan, material options (e.g., porcelain, composite), and anesthesia.
- First visit: Administration of local anesthesia to numb the area.
- Removal of all decayed or damaged tooth structure.
- Taking an impression (mold) or digital scan of the prepared tooth.
- Placement of a temporary onlay to protect the tooth while the permanent one is fabricated in the lab.
Risks & possible complications
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure, which usually subsides.
- Risk of damage to the tooth's nerve (pulp), potentially requiring root canal therapy.
- Allergic reaction to materials used (rare).
- Chipping or fracture of the onlay material, especially with hard foods.
- Debonding or loosening of the onlay over time.
- Recurrent decay at the margins if oral hygiene is not maintained.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Numbness wears off in a few hours; avoid chewing on that side until it does.
- The permanent onlay is bonded at a second appointment, typically 1-2 weeks later.
- Minor sensitivity is common for a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
- Avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods on the restored tooth for the first 24-48 hours.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene with brushing and flossing.
- Attend regular dental check-ups to ensure the onlay remains in good condition.
-
Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
-
Expected recovery time: 1-2 days for initial sensitivity; full adaptation within a week
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering dental onlay in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with dental surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform dental onlay. MediFyr helps you compare dental surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for dental onlay compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 88 – USD 275 | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 days for initial sensitivity; full adaptation within a week | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 656 – USD 2,049 | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 1-2 days for initial sensitivity; full adaptation within a week | Know More |
Sara Ali, a 35-year-old graphic designer,...
Sara Ali, a 35-year-old graphic designer, had always been self-conscious about her smile due to several large, discolored silver fillings from her teenage years. The one on her upper first molar had begun to cause trouble, trapping food and feeling rough along the edges. During a routine check-up, her dentist noted the filling was failing and decay was starting at the margin. Sara was adamant she did not want another metal filling or a crown that would require removing more healthy tooth. Her dentist suggested a tooth-colored composite or porcelain onlay, explaining it would remove only the decayed and filled portion, conserve her healthy enamel, and be indistinguishable from her natural tooth. Sara felt hopeful for the first time about fixing the tooth. The process was meticulous. The dentist used a shade guide to match her natural tooth color perfectly. The preparation was minimal, and a digital scan created a model for the lab. The temporary phase was slightly uncomfortable, but when the final porcelain onlay was placed, Sara was thrilled. The recovery was effortless. The outcome was transformative, not just functionally, but aesthetically. The tooth looked seamless. Emotionally, Sara moved from embarrassment and dread to empowerment and joy. Addressing the dental issue also resolved a long-standing source of self-consciousness, giving her a more confident, pain-free smile.
Dental surgeons for Dental Onlay
Explore experienced dental surgeons who regularly perform dental onlay and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 15 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 10 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 23 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 7 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata