Crown or Onlay

I have read a number of posts already on this subject but I have not seen my current condition discussed.

Over half of tooth 18 (molar) has broken off. Where the tooth has broken off, there is a little bit of enamel above the gum line. There was an old filling in that tooth and is partially still there. I am not in pain at present.

Dentists is recommending Onlay-porcelein/ceramic-four or more surfaces. He said I could go with a crown as well,
one with preferably high nobile metal, either porcelain fused or full metal.

After some research it is hard for me to conceive that an onlay would be strong enough considering the lack of tooth that it would be bonded too, let alone the significant increase of cost for the onlay.

Any thoughts or any additional information needed for a blind opinion?

thanks for your comments.

[iam1butterfly]

...well, I just had a similar problem with my number 18. What happened with me was that the rear portion (I'd say, 1/3rd) of the original enamel broke off... leaving the (huge) center filling and the remaining surrounding portion of the original tooth standing. I went ahead and had it crowned (porcelain) ...and I'm glad I did... because it looks natural and feels great.

[rupelja]

Thanks for your comment.

I ended up getting the onlay. My dentist  insisted and I only paid the co-payement for a gold crown, $100.00.

Overall the onlay feels great so far.

Rupelja