Seeking a second opinion: Do I truly need a crown, or are there alternative treatments?

[RonaldYeo]

Hello everyone, I need some advice.

My dentist found a very small vertical crack on my lower right second molar and recommends crowning it. He says there is a small crack and he is unsure of how deep it runs, he recommends a crown.

I'd like a second opinion, as the thought of drilling is causing me lots of anxiety . No prior filling or decay exists there. Does it really need a full crown, or could an onlay suffice? My dentist says a filling is not possible at all!

 

[Gordon]

Does it really need a full crown, or could an onlay suffice?

Hard to say without examining you, but not really. You need the crown to basically hold the 4 sides of the tooth together, an onlay won't do that.

My dentist says a filling is not possible at all!

Yep. Same problem as above, it won't support the outer margins of the tooth.