Can totally relate to that anxious feeling about losing more of your own tooth. I remember sitting in the chair thinking, “If they keep shaving, there won’t be anything left but my dental bills!” My dentist was also all about the crown after my root canal—didn’t even mention onlays until I brought it up. I half-joked that I’d like to keep as much tooth as possible since I’m already running out of originals.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if crowns are just their go-to because it’s easier or they trust it more. But a friend of mine did get an onlay and she’s had no issues for years. Guess it really depends on how much tooth you’ve got left and how much of a gambler you are with your molars. My dentist said the same thing about cracking, but part of me wonders if dentists are just extra cautious because nobody wants to see someone back in the chair with a busted tooth.
I get the anxiety, though. It’s nerve-wracking when you’re not sure if you’re making the “right” call and all you can do is trust someone with a bunch of degrees on their wall. At this point, I just hope my teeth outlast my fillings...
I hear you on the “shave it all down” anxiety. The first time I needed a crown, I swear my dentist was one step away from bringing out a chainsaw. It’s wild how quick they are to default to crowns, like there’s some secret dentist bingo card and “full coverage” is a free space.
I actually pushed for an onlay after my last root canal because I wanted to keep as much of my real tooth as possible—call me sentimental. My dentist kind of sighed and said, “Well, we *could* do that if the structure’s solid,” but you could tell he was already picturing the crown. Ended up with the onlay anyway, and honestly, it’s been just fine. No cracks, no drama, just me and my stubborn molar living our best lives.
I get why dentists are cautious (nobody wants a midnight dental emergency), but sometimes I think they underestimate how much people care about keeping their own teeth. If you’re not sure, maybe see if your dentist can show you what’s left on a scan or photo—it helped me feel less like I was making a blind bet at the tooth casino.
That’s awesome you stood your ground and got the onlay. I totally get the anxiety about losing more tooth than you need to—plus, crowns are expensive. Did your insurance cover the onlay, or did you have to fight for that too? I always wonder if dentists push crowns because they’re easier to get approved. Either way, good for you for asking questions and not just going with the default. It’s your tooth (and your wallet) after all.
I actually went through something similar after my last root canal. My dentist really pushed for a crown, but I’d read up on onlays and asked about it. Insurance was a headache—had to submit extra paperwork, but they did cover part of it. Honestly, I do think some dentists recommend crowns because it’s more straightforward with insurance, but I’d rather keep as much of my tooth as possible. Did your dentist give you any pushback when you asked for an onlay instead?
I've seen this come up a lot, and honestly, I get where you're coming from. I remember a patient who was really adamant about keeping as much of her tooth as possible after her root canal. We talked through onlays vs crowns, and she ended up going with an onlay—insurance paperwork was a pain, but it worked out. Sometimes dentists lean toward crowns because it's more predictable for both insurance and long-term strength, but onlays can be great if the tooth structure allows. It really comes down to the specific case and, sometimes, a bit of extra advocacy from the patient.