But yeah… once a molar cracks down the middle, options get limited fast.
That part really hits home for me. I tried to save money by just getting a big filling after a root canal on one of my lower molars. My dentist warned me it was risky, but at the time, I just couldn’t justify the extra cost of a crown. Fast forward about a year and a half—crack city. I bit down on something not even that hard, and suddenly I had half a tooth left. Ended up needing an extraction and now I’m stuck with a gap (still debating if I want to spend even more on an implant).
I get that crowns aren’t cheap, but honestly, skipping it on a back tooth is a gamble. I’ve heard some folks get by for years with just a filling, but in my case, it backfired. The brittleness is real after a root canal—my tooth felt kind of hollow, if that makes sense.
On the flip side, I had a root canal on a front tooth (incisor) about five years ago. Dentist said no crown needed unless it started to discolor or chip. Still looks and feels fine, so I guess that’s the exception.
I do think there’s some truth to dentists being a bit “crown happy” sometimes, especially if insurance covers it. But when it comes to molars, I’d say the risk of a catastrophic crack is just too high. If you’re worried about cost, maybe ask about onlays or those reinforced fillings, but keep in mind they’re not always a permanent fix.
Anyway, just my two cents as someone who learned the hard way. If I could go back, I’d probably suck it up and get the crown right away for any tooth that does the heavy lifting.
- Totally agree about molars—after a root canal, they’re just not the same.
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That hollow feeling is spot on.“The brittleness is real after a root canal—my tooth felt kind of hollow, if that makes sense.”
- I’ve seen a few people try to stretch out with just a filling, but most end up regretting it. Crowns aren’t cheap, but losing a tooth is way pricier in the long run.
- Front teeth are a different story, though. I had a root canal on one of mine and skipped the crown too—no issues so far.
- Onlays can work, but like you said, not always a forever fix.
- Honestly, if it’s a chewing tooth, I’d rather play it safe and get the crown.
Crowns after a root canal are one of those things that feels like buying the extended warranty on your gadgets—sometimes you regret it, sometimes you’re glad you coughed up the cash. I had a molar root canal a couple years ago and just went with a filling because my wallet was already crying. Fast forward six months, I bit into a tortilla chip (of course it had to be the most innocent-looking one), and… crack. Tooth split right down the middle. I swear, the universe has a sense of humor.
After that, I just accepted that chewing teeth need the dental equivalent of a phone case. Crowns are expensive, but man, losing the whole tooth is next-level annoying (and even pricier). The “hollow” feeling is so real too—like the tooth is just waiting for an excuse to bail.
But then, my front tooth had a root canal years ago and never got a crown. Still going strong, even after all the coffee and questionable popcorn decisions. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t do any heavy lifting? Or maybe I’m just lucky there.
Onlays sound cool in theory, but I’ve heard mixed things. My cousin tried to save money with one and it lasted… maybe two years before she was back in the chair. Not sure if that’s typical or just her luck.
Is anyone else weirdly paranoid about biting into apples after dental work? I still cut mine up like a toddler just in case. Teeth are expensive to fix, but habits are hard to break.
Anyway, for molars, I’m team crown now. Front teeth? Still on the fence. Maybe it’s just a gamble either way.
After that, I just accepted that chewing teeth need the dental equivalent of a phone case.
That’s honestly the best analogy I’ve heard for crowns. I was stubborn about skipping the crown on a molar once too—figured the filling would hold up. Nope. Chomped on a pita chip and it was game over for that tooth. Front teeth though? Same as you, mine survived years with just a filling, no drama. Seems like molars are just drama magnets. And yeah, I still slice apples like they’re steak... not risking another dental bill.
I’m in the “paranoid about molars” club now too. Had my first root canal last month and the dentist basically gave me a lecture about crowns, but I’m still low-key terrified it’ll break anyway. Is it weird that I’m more scared of biting into a sandwich than the actual dental work?