Op here. Thanks for the replies. This is very helpful and somewhat reassuring. Is it like having a fake tooth? Did anyone feel old that they had to go through this?

They can be $$ so plan them out within the calendar years if you have an annual limit. Once you pay for a few of these, you become really careful with your teeth. No popcorn or caramel candy for me. I told my dentist “Oalmeal from now on!”

I am 43 and have the same issues with my molars. I’ve had crowns placed on 2 of them and, unfortunately, I needed a root canal both times. Other than the annoyance of multiple appointments, I don’t find this to be a big deal. My dentist and endodontist both ensure I am numb before starting any work.

I wouldn't call it an upgrade. But if you have huge filings, after a while you have less teeth so you need crowns. If you're in your 40s your filings have had a good run so you can ride out crowns without a root canal/bridge until you die peacefully at an old age of natural causes... if you practice good central hygiene

I’ve had 6 teeth crowned. Felt weird about it the first time, but never had any pain.

I've had so many it's ridiculous. I've lost count. Several needed root canals also. Just a big PITA with multiple appointments and waiting around to get on the endodontist's schedule while one of my teeth is screaming in pain.

I now have four crowns. I get nitrous every time which helps quite a bit.

I’ve had more dental work in the last month than I previously had in my entire life. My dentist has a machine that makes the crown on site, which is nice because then you don’t have to deal with a temporary crown and then another visit.

I ended up needing a root canal after I got the crown and that really sucked.

I was surprised that the crown doesn’t feel like a regular tooth—it’s more smooth on the top.

No fun, but not horrible. Lots of novacaine, and be careful not to bite your tongue while the numbness resolves.

You don’t want to let this go. Cracked teeth eventually will fail, usually in a very painful way.

Yes and yes. Are you clenching your teeth? It stinks, but if they are cracked badly you’ll need crowns. Hopefully you will never actually see it ground down to a nub. They will do the work, put in a temp crown that’s not a great color then put a real one in layer.

Also in my 40s going thru similar. Our teeth aren’t getting any better without help. I think the crowns help stabilize the healthy remaining portion of the tooth.

I am in my 40s and have a huge fillings in all my molars from when I was a teen. Apparently two of them have now led to cracks, and My dentist says I now need my first crowns. I find the prospect of having teeth drilled down to nubs a bit traumatizing. Has anybody else gone through this? What should I expect? Is this just part of getting older? Thanks.