Strong, precise and natural-looking. Custom-made restorations that repair damaged teeth without the need for a full crown. A conservative option that preserves as much of your own tooth as possible.
Every onlay begins with a careful assessment of the tooth. Your treatment is guided by:
✔ The size and position of the damage or decay
✔ How much healthy tooth structure remains
✔ Your bite and the forces on the tooth
✔ Shade and appearance, so the result blends in
Where a simple filling won't provide enough strength and a crown would remove more tooth than necessary, an inlay or onlay is often the right middle ground.
Onlays are custom-made dental restorations used to repair teeth that are damaged or decayed but don't need a full crown. They're made outside the mouth and bonded to the tooth, typically from tooth-coloured materials designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
At Harley Private, onlays are carefully planned and crafted to achieve a precise fit and a natural-looking result.
Reflections from people who have visited our clinic and shared their experience.
Onlays restore the strength, function and appearance of a damaged tooth while keeping as much natural tooth structure as possible. They're often considered a middle ground between a filling and a crown.
Onlays
An onlay covers a larger area and extends over one or more cusps, the raised points of a tooth. It's used when damage reaches the biting surface or cusps, providing additional coverage and reinforcement.
Best suited for: moderate decay or damage, failing or fractured fillings, teeth that need more strength than a filling can offer but don't need a full crown, and patients who want a durable, precise restoration.
A custom-made, tooth-coloured restoration that covers one or more cusps of the tooth. It restores strength, function and appearance while keeping more of your natural tooth than a crown. We'll give you an accurate quote after a thorough assessment.
Assessment and treatment planning
Removal of decay or an old filling, and careful tooth preparation
Digital scan, with no messy impressions
Temporary restoration to protect the tooth
Custom-made onlay, matched to your natural tooth colour
Bonding, bite adjustment and aftercare guidance
Your complete first appointment with a private dentist. We’ll assess the damaged tooth, explain whether an onlay is the right treatment and give you a clear plan and fee before anything starts.
A discussion of your concerns, goals and expectations
A review of your medical and dental history
A full examination of your teeth, gums, bite and jaw
Mouth cancer screening
X-rays or digital scans if clinically required
A clear explanation of your findings and recommendations
We offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance to help make treatment costs more manageable. This allows eligible patients to spread the cost of treatment over time with clear, structured repayments. 0% finance is available on 12-month plans, and longer terms are available at a representative 14.9% APR, subject to status and approval.
Our finance calculator provides an indicative example of how treatment costs may be spread into monthly payments based on a 14.9% APR. Simply enter the estimated treatment cost and select a repayment term to view a guide price. Figures shown are for illustration only. Final repayment amounts will be confirmed following consultation and finance approval.
Using the calculator does not commit you to treatment or finance. It is designed to help you understand your options clearly, without pressure. Full details, including repayment terms and eligibility, will always be explained before you proceed.


Your consultation is designed to give you clarity and reassurance. We'll assess your tooth, explain the benefits and limitations of each option and provide a personalised plan, so you can make an informed decision without any pressure.
There's no one-size-fits-all restoration. This comparison gives you a clear, honest overview of these treatments so you can understand which may suit your tooth.
These frequently asked questions are designed to give clear, honest information about onlays. If you have further questions, we can discuss them in detail at your consultation.
Inlays and onlays are custom-made outside the mouth and bonded to the tooth, offering greater strength and precision than standard fillings in cases of moderate damage.
No. Crowns cover the entire visible tooth, whereas inlays and onlays restore only the damaged portion, preserving more natural tooth structure.
An inlay sits within the grooves of the tooth. An onlay extends over one or more cusps for extra coverage and reinforcement. Your dentist will recommend the right one based on the condition of the tooth.
Yes. Inlays and onlays are colour-matched to your natural teeth and designed to blend in discreetly.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, they can last many years. Longevity depends on bite forces, oral habits and maintenance.
Onlays start from £925. We'll give you an accurate quote after a thorough assessment.
Treatment is usually completed over two appointments. At the first, your tooth is prepared and a temporary restoration is placed. At the second, your inlay or onlay is fitted.
The procedure is usually comfortable and carried out with local anaesthetic where required. Any mild sensitivity afterwards typically settles quickly.



If you'd like to book an appointment, have a question about our treatments, or need further information, our friendly team is here to help.