I’m right there with you on the anxiety front. I had a porcelain crown on one of my upper molars for a few years, and while it did look pretty natural, I was always low-key nervous about biting into anything too hard—like, even popcorn kernels made me pause. Ended up cracking a bit at the edge after a couple years (probably my own fault for chewing ice... old habits die hard).
Switched to zirconia for my next one and honestly, it’s just less stressful. It doesn’t blend in quite as perfectly, but I’d rather have something that can take a beating than be back in the chair for another fix. My dentist said zirconia holds up better if you grind your teeth or clench at night, which is definitely me. Haven’t noticed any sensitivity issues either, which was a relief because I was half-expecting some.
I do sometimes miss the way porcelain looked under certain light, but I’ll take peace of mind over perfect aesthetics any day. The whole thing really comes down to what matters more to you—looks or durability. For me, not worrying every time I eat something crunchy is worth it.
