My kid’s dentist mentioned both options after her root canal, but I was honestly worried the onlay wouldn’t be strong enough. Did you feel confident choosing it? I just keep thinking about what happens if it breaks later… insurance is so unpredictable, it makes me nervous.
I actually went with an onlay for my son after his root canal. I get the worry—
I felt the same at first. But his dentist explained that if there’s still a good amount of healthy tooth left, an onlay can hold up just fine, especially for back teeth that aren’t taking all the chewing force. We’ve had it for two years now, no issues so far. Insurance was a headache, but honestly, that was true for the crown too when we compared. Sometimes I think we underestimate how well these newer materials last...I was honestly worried the onlay wouldn’t be strong enough.
Yeah, I’ve seen onlays hold up really well, especially with the newer composite or ceramic materials. Honestly, I used to think crowns were the only way to go after a root canal, but my own dentist started recommending onlays for cases where there’s still enough tooth left. Makes sense—not as much drilling, and you keep more of your natural tooth.
Insurance is always a pain, no matter which way you go. I had to fight with mine over what they’d cover for an onlay vs. a crown, and in the end, the difference wasn’t that big. For molars, I was skeptical at first too, but it’s been three years and no cracks or issues. I do think people underestimate how strong these materials are now. They’re not like the old fillings that would chip after a year.
If there’s not a ton of tooth missing, I’d say onlay’s worth considering. Less invasive, and recovery felt easier for me—didn’t have that weird “too big” feeling you sometimes get with a crown.
I get really anxious about anything dental, so I was actually relieved to read your post. Last year, after a root canal on one of my back teeth, my dentist suggested an onlay instead of a crown. I’ll admit, I was nervous it wouldn’t hold up—especially since I grind my teeth at night (mouth guard club here). But it’s been almost a year and honestly, I forget it’s even there most days.
Insurance was such a hassle though. They kept trying to say an onlay was “optional” and wanted to cover less, which made no sense to me because it’s actually less work than a crown? In the end, the extra cost wasn’t huge but the whole process stressed me out way more than the actual tooth did.
I totally get what you mean about not wanting that bulky feeling. My old crown always felt kind of “off”—like it never quite fit right. The onlay just feels like my actual tooth. Still, every time I bite down on something crunchy, there’s this little moment of panic... but so far, so good. If you’re anxious about dental stuff like me, honestly, keeping more of your own tooth feels way less scary.
That “mouth guard club” line cracked me up—so relatable. You’re spot on about onlays feeling more natural; a lot of folks don’t realize they can be just as sturdy, especially if you’re careful (and wearing that mouth guard). Insurance, though... don’t get me started. They love to make things trickier than they need to be. Honestly, keeping more of your tooth is usually a win in my book. And yeah, that little crunch-panic? Totally normal. It fades with time, promise.
