Ever heard of onlays instead of crowns after a root canal?

My kid had an onlay after a baby tooth cracked (long story, playground mishap), and honestly, she was way more cautious chewing for weeks. I kept asking if it hurt, but she said it just “felt weird” biting down on that side. Did your dentist ever mention if it takes a while for nerves to settle down after these procedures? I’m curious if adults get used to it faster than kids or if it’s just always a mental thing.

she said it just “felt weird” biting down on that side

That’s pretty normal in my experience. I had an onlay done a few years back and it took me a good month before things felt “right” again. The nerves do seem to need time to adjust, especially after any trauma. Kids might take a bit longer just because they’re not used to the sensation, but adults aren’t immune to that weird feeling either. It usually fades eventually, though.

Funny, I actually had the opposite experience after my onlay - things felt off for way longer than a month. I kept thinking it was just my nerves adjusting, but after a while, it turned out the bite was a bit high and needed tweaking. I get that some weirdness is normal, but sometimes it’s not just about nerves settling down. I’d say if it drags on or gets worse, it’s worth having it checked again, even if everyone says it’ll just fade.

That’s wild - my dentist warned me about the “bite feels weird” thing, but I honestly thought he was just covering his bases. Mine settled after a couple weeks, but now I’m wondering: did anyone else have to go back for bite adjustments more than once?

Bite adjustments are honestly way more common than people think - you're definitely not alone there. Sometimes even the tiniest high spot on an onlay or crown can make your bite feel off, like chewing on a pebble. I’ve seen folks need two, sometimes even three tweaks before things finally feel right. Teeth can be stubborn, and your jaw’s got a memory of its own... it takes a bit for everything to settle down. If it still feels weird after a couple weeks, it's never overkill to get it checked again. Better safe (and comfortable) than sorry.

I get what you’re saying, but honestly, if a bite’s still off after a couple weeks, I wouldn’t just chalk it up to settling. Sometimes it’s not about the jaw “remembering” - it’s that the high spot really is still there. I’ve seen people tough it out for months thinking it’ll go away, and then end up with sore muscles or even headaches. Quick check and minor adjustment can save a lot of hassle down the line.

Is it always worth going back for a bite adjustment right away, though? I get that headaches and sore muscles are a pain, but sometimes I wonder if it’s just part of the healing process after a big procedure like a root canal. Plus, every extra appointment means more time off work and possibly another co-pay. Has anyone actually had a high spot just resolve on its own, or is it always better to get it checked out? Just trying to balance the hassle and the cost here.

I get where you’re coming from - after my last root canal, I was honestly tempted to just ride it out and see if my jaw would chill out on its own. I figured, hey, maybe the sore muscles and headaches are just my body’s way of saying “thanks for all the drilling, now let me regroup.” But after a few days, that nagging bite feeling wasn’t going anywhere. Chewing felt weird, like my teeth weren’t lining up the way they used to. I ended up calling the office, mostly because my daughter kept telling me I was grinding my teeth in my sleep (not a fun sound, apparently).

When I finally went back for the adjustment, it was such a quick fix - barely took 10 minutes. The relief was almost instant. I do get the hassle, though. Between work and all the insurance nonsense, another appointment isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. But in my case, the high spot never would’ve sorted itself out. My dentist said sometimes your jaw will try to compensate, but more often than not you’ll just keep aggravating things. Plus, I’ve heard if you ignore it too long, you can end up with bigger problems like cracked fillings or even jaw pain that sticks around.

I totally get wanting to avoid the extra co-pay. I’m on a fixed income these days, so I weigh every trip to the dentist pretty carefully. But I guess I’d rather deal with one quick visit than weeks of headaches or more dental work down the line. For what it’s worth, I’ve never had a high spot “just go away.” Maybe someone else has, but my luck’s never been that good.

If you’re not sure, maybe give it a few days and see if it settles, but don’t be shy about calling if it keeps bugging you. Sometimes peace of mind (and a pain-free jaw) is worth the hassle.

But in my case, the high spot never would’ve sorted itself out.

I hear you, but I actually had a high spot mellow out on its own once. Took about a week and I was nervous it’d get worse, but it just faded. I guess it depends on how bad it is? Still, I wouldn’t risk it if the pain’s sharp or messing with your bite.

I guess it depends on how bad it is? Still, I wouldn’t risk it if the pain’s sharp or messing with your bite.

That’s what got me worried with my kid - she kept saying her tooth “felt tall,” and I thought maybe it’d settle, but nope, she started chewing weird and complaining even more. Did yours hurt to bite down or was it just annoying? I wish these things would just fix themselves, but kids don’t have much patience for waiting it out...

she kept saying her tooth “felt tall,” and I thought maybe it’d settle, but nope, she started chewing weird and complaining even more.

That “tall” feeling is exactly what my son described after his filling last year. At first, I figured it was just him being sensitive, but when he started chewing on the other side all the time, I knew it wasn’t just in his head. Did your kid end up needing an adjustment, or did you have to go straight to more work like an onlay or crown? I’m always torn between waiting it out and just getting it fixed right away...

That “tall” feeling is exactly what my son described after his filling last year. At first, I figured it was just him being sensitive, but when he started chewing on the other side all the time, I knew it wasn’t just in his head.

Honestly, this is bringing back some memories for me. I had a root canal for the first time last month, and after they put in the temporary filling, my bite felt off - like one tooth was just... higher than the rest. I kept telling myself it would settle down, but after a few days of chewing weird and getting these little zings of pain, I started to worry I was just being dramatic. Turns out, my dentist said it’s pretty common for fillings or even crowns to feel “tall” if they’re just a bit too high. I needed a quick adjustment and it made a huge difference.

I totally get the dilemma between waiting to see if things settle or just going back in. I hesitated for almost a week because I didn’t want to seem paranoid, but now I wish I’d gone sooner. The relief was immediate after they shaved it down a bit.

As for onlays vs. crowns, my dentist actually suggested an onlay instead of a full crown since most of my tooth was still strong. At first, I was skeptical - like, are they just trying to save money or is this actually going to last? But she explained that onlays are less invasive and preserve more of your natural tooth, which sounded good to me. Insurance covered most of it, so cost wasn’t a huge issue, but I did have to wait about two weeks for the permanent onlay (temporary one in the meantime). So far, it feels pretty natural - definitely not “tall” anymore.

My advice, if you can call it that, is don’t feel bad about going back for an adjustment. It’s not just being picky if you’re uncomfortable or chewing differently. And if your dentist suggests an onlay instead of a crown, maybe give it some thought. I was anxious at first, but now I’m glad I didn’t go straight to a full crown. Dental stuff is stressful enough without second-guessing every weird feeling in your mouth...

That “tall” bite is a super common complaint after fillings or root canals, and honestly, it’s not something to just tough out. Even a tiny bit of extra height can throw off your bite and cause soreness or jaw issues if it’s left too long. Quick adjustment usually fixes it right away, like you said.

Onlays are a solid option when there’s enough healthy tooth left. They’re less aggressive than crowns - think of them as a middle ground. I’ve seen them last just as long as crowns in the right cases. Not every tooth needs a full crown after a root canal, despite what some folks think. The key is making sure the tooth is protected but not over-treated. Glad yours worked out!

Yeah, I totally get the “tall” bite thing - had that after a filling once and it drove me nuts until I went back for a quick fix. About onlays, do you feel like they blend in better than crowns? I always worry about the look, especially on my front teeth.

That tall bite thing is the worst - totally messes with your head every time you close your mouth. I had to go back twice after a filling to get it sorted, so I feel you. About onlays, I actually got one on a molar after a root canal, and honestly, it blends in way better than my old crown. The color match was spot on, and it doesn’t have that bulky edge you sometimes get with crowns. I’d be a bit nervous about doing it on a front tooth, though - mine’s in the back, so I don’t stress about it showing. But if you’ve got a good dentist, I think they can make onlays look pretty seamless, especially with the newer materials.

The color match was spot on, and it doesn’t have that bulky edge you sometimes get with crowns.

That’s really reassuring to hear. I’m seriously nervous about the “bulky edge” thing - I had a temporary crown once (not after a root canal, just a cracked tooth) and I couldn’t stop running my tongue over the edge. Drove me nuts. I haven’t had an onlay yet, but my dentist mentioned it as an option next time and I’ve been obsessing over whether it’ll feel weird or look obvious. The idea that it blends in better is actually kind of comforting. I guess I’m still worried about biting down and something feeling off though… did you notice any difference at first?

I get what you mean about the edge - those temp crowns always felt weird to me too, like my tongue just couldn’t leave them alone. With the onlay I got last year, I was surprised how natural it felt. The first day, it was a bit odd biting down, but honestly, by the second or third day I barely noticed it. The fit was smooth, not bulky at all. If you’re worried about it feeling off, maybe mention that to your dentist - they can adjust it if anything’s not right. I’ve found onlays a lot less noticeable than full crowns, at least in my experience.

Yeah, I totally get the tongue thing - mine’s got a mind of its own when there’s anything new in my mouth. My onlay felt weird for maybe a day, but after that it was like it’d always been there. Honestly, way less clunky than the old crown I had. If it feels off, don’t be shy about going back for a tweak... I had to once, and it made a world of difference.

Did your onlay feel “off” right away, or did it take a bit to notice? My kid keeps saying his new one feels bumpy, but I can’t tell if it’s just him getting used to it or if we should go back. Did you need much adjusting?

Mine felt a bit weird at first, but honestly I thought it was just me overthinking it.

My kid keeps saying his new one feels bumpy, but I can’t tell if it’s just him getting used to it or if we should go back.