Most of us have at least one filling we got years ago and haven’t thought about since. Fillings are tough, but they don’t last forever, and the big ones in back teeth tend to wear out first.
If an old filling is starting to crack, leak, or just feel off, you have more options than another round of drilling and patching. For a lot of patients, replacing an old filling with an onlay can be a more conservative way to rebuild a damaged tooth, and at The Dental Office Encino, certain onlays can be completed in a single appointment.
Signs Your Old Filling Is Wearing Out
Fillings rarely fail all at once. Usually there’s a slow buildup of small clues that are easy to brush off.
You might notice a rough or sharp edge your tongue keeps finding. Food might start catching in one spot it never used to. Some people feel a twinge with cold drinks, or a little sensitivity when they bite down on that side.
Others see it in the mirror: a crack running through the filling, a dark line around its edges, or a chunk that’s simply missing. Any of these can mean the seal between the filling and your tooth is breaking down, which gives bacteria a way in.
None of this means panic. It does mean it’s worth having the tooth looked at before a small problem turns into a cracked tooth or a deeper cavity.
Why Another Big Filling Isn’t Always the Answer
When a filling is small, replacing it with a new one is usually simple. The trouble starts when the old filling takes up a large part of the tooth.
Each time a filling is redone, a bit more tooth structure comes out with it. Eventually, the tooth can be left with thin walls and weak cusps, the raised points on its chewing surface. A filling packed into that space doesn’t add much strength back.
That’s where an onlay comes in. Instead of just filling the hole, it’s a custom-made piece that rebuilds the damaged part of the tooth, including one or more of those cusps, and is bonded in place. If the damage reaches every cusp, a crown is usually the better choice. But when enough healthy tooth is left, an onlay lets you keep more of it.
What Makes an Onlay “Same-Day”
Traditionally, an onlay meant two visits. The dentist took a putty impression, sent it to a lab, fitted you with a temporary, and had you come back a couple of weeks later.
The Dental Office Encino uses the CEREC® system to skip that wait. The doctors take a digital image of your tooth, design your onlay to your exact measurements, make it right in the office, and place it in the same appointment. There’s no goopy impression tray, no lab delay, and usually no temporary to protect in the meantime.
The same technology is used for crowns, inlays, and veneers. The practice also offers cosmetic and restorative dental care for patients who may need other types of treatment.
What to Expect at Your Visit
First, Dr. Alan Howard or Dr. Yonatan Howard will check the tooth and explain whether an onlay, a new filling, or a crown makes the most sense. You’ll know your options before anything starts.
If an onlay is appropriate, the dentist numbs the area first. The old filling and any decay underneath are then removed. Next, the dentist scans the tooth and designs the onlay. The office then makes it on-site before bonding it into place. Finally, the dentist adjusts the onlay until your bite feels comfortable.
For many patients, it’s one appointment from start to finish. You walk out with the tooth rebuilt instead of a temporary and a follow-up date on the calendar.
Why Patients Trust The Dental Office Encino With This Kind of Work
The practice is run by the father-and-son team of Dr. Alan Howard and Dr. Yonatan Howard. Dr. Alan has been practicing for more than 30 years, and the office has cared for families in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills since 1991.
Patients notice the technology. One reviewer summed it up: “They have the newest technology.” The office also uses digital X-rays, which help the doctors spot problems under an old filling that you can’t see in the mirror.
Patients also mention how easy it is to get in. One reviewer noted her family “can always get in quickly when we need to,” which matters when a filling suddenly breaks. Another described the dentist as having “delicate hands,” the kind of detail people remember when they’re nervous about dental work. Staff members speak English, Spanish, and Hebrew.
Keeping Your Onlay in Good Shape
Once it’s in, an onlay doesn’t need special care. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with your regular checkups and cleanings so the doctors can keep an eye on it along with the rest of your teeth.
If you grind your teeth at night, mention it. The office offers custom night guards that take pressure off your teeth and any restorations you have.
Get That Old Filling Checked
If you have been ignoring a filling that is cracked, sensitive, or no longer feels right, have it checked. Early attention can help preserve more of your natural tooth.
Call The Dental Office Encino at 818-300-0333 or contact the office to book your appointment. The office is at 17071 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 102, Encino, CA 91316, and the team can walk you through your options, insurance, and payment at your visit.
