How Long Do Dental Crowns Last
Dental crowns are considered a permanent restoration and are used to restore a tooth that has extensive decay, has had a root canal therapy, or has fractured. Dental crowns have the ability to last a lifetime, though there are some factors that can have an impact on how long your crown will actually last.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene can prevent a number of dental ailments and can keep dental restorations in their best shape! Keeping your teeth and gums healthy helps to ensure that your dental crown lasts as long as possible because decay can develop under a crown, at which point it would need to be replaced.
Personal Habits
Teeth are not tools! We are all guilty of using our teeth to rip open a package on occasion. Chewing on hard candies and ice is also a great way to break a tooth or damage a restoration. A lot of people clench and/or grind their teeth while they sleep which can cause damage to dental restorations. Being fitted for a night guard is a great way to protect your teeth while you sleep. A night guard is a hard plastic appliance that fits over the upper teeth and acts as a buffer between the upper and lower jaw, protecting the teeth from clenching and grinding (bruxism).
Material and Placement
Most crowns are fabricated using porcelain or ceramic but there are a few other materials used to fabricate dental crowns. Gold and other base metals are a good choice for back teeth since metals are strong and can withstand bite force however, they cannot be tinted to match the rest of your teeth whereas crowns made with porcelain or ceramic can be. Porcelain is still a strong material and is very natural looking though it is not as strong as metals. Another option is a hybrid, porcelain fused to metal. The best of both worlds, combining the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain.
Not all patients are a candidate for metal crowns, patients that have metal allergies would not be able to receive a metal crown but your dentist can help you determine what material is best.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns can easily last up to 30 years with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. They will make sure that your crown stays in good shape, making repairs and adjustments as needed. In some cases, a three-quarter crown can be used to restore a tooth and or tooth structure can be saved.
In the event that your crown should come off, that is a sign that something is wrong and you may have decay under your crown. Even though the crown can be re-cemented, that will only last a short time and a crown will eventually need to be replaced.
Dental crowns are a great option for patients hoping to save a tooth! Speak with your dentist if you believe you may need a dental crown and see what options are right for you!