Restore broken, weakened or heavily filled teeth with custom-made ceramic crowns and onlays, hand-finished by our experienced dentist in Forest Hill. Beautifully matched to your natural teeth, our restorations are designed to last for years and feel exactly like your own.
Restore broken, weakened or heavily filled teeth with custom-made ceramic crowns and onlays, hand-finished by our experienced dentist in Forest Hill. Beautifully matched to your natural teeth, our restorations are designed to last for years and feel exactly like your own.
1What's the difference between a crown and an onlay?
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers the visible portion of a tooth, restoring its strength, shape, size and appearance. An onlay is a more conservative restoration that covers only the biting surface and one or more of the cusps — preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
At our Forest Hill practice, we always recommend the most conservative option that will reliably restore your tooth. For many patients, a modern e-max onlay can be a beautiful, long-lasting alternative to a full crown.
2When do you need a crown or onlay?
Your dentist may recommend a crown or onlay if you have:
A large filling that has failed or is at risk of fracture
A cracked, chipped or worn tooth
A tooth that has had root canal treatment
A discoloured tooth that can't be improved with whitening or bonding
A tooth that needs to anchor a dental bridge
We use high-quality lithium-disilicate ceramics (e-max) and zirconia for our crowns and onlays — strong, biocompatible materials that look indistinguishable from natural enamel.
3How long do crowns and onlays last?
With good oral hygiene, regular hygienist visits at our Forest Hill clinic, and avoidance of habits like nail-biting or chewing on hard objects, modern ceramic crowns and onlays typically last 10–15 years or more. Many of our patients enjoy their restorations for considerably longer.
Your treatment journey
From first call to final reveal — your dental crowns & onlays journey
1
Consultation
We assess the tooth, take digital scans and X-rays, and plan your restoration in detail.
2
Preparation
Under local anaesthetic, the tooth is gently shaped and an impression or digital scan is taken.
3
Temporary fit
A temporary crown protects the tooth while your permanent restoration is hand-crafted by our lab.
4
Final bond
At your second visit we check the fit and bite, then bond the new crown or onlay permanently in place.
Your questions, answered
Everything you wanted to know about crowns, onlays & inlays
Ready when you are
Talk to a friendly clinician about your dental crowns & onlays
No pressure, no jargon — just honest advice on what's possible, what it costs and how soon we can get started. Most enquiries are answered the same working day.
