The lifespan of a full-coverage dental crown varies, based on a few different factors, but with correct care, a crown should be expected to last from 15 to 30 years. Full-coverage dental crowns are used to protect and preserve natural teeth, and, like natural teeth, they’re susceptible to normal wear and tear. Over time, this day-to-day use can weaken the crown, and it may eventually break or fall out. While wear and tear are normal, there are certain behaviors or habits that increase the risk of a full-coverage crown breaking, like chronically grinding the teeth or using the teeth as tools. There are also certain materials that are stronger and more resilient than others. For example, gold is incredibly durable, and a gold crown might be used on a rear molar, which bears significant force while chewing, while more aesthetic, less durable materials can be used on the front teeth that bear less force.

Some of the materials used to make dental crowns are composite dental resin, ceramic or porcelain, metal, porcelain fused to metal, and pressed ceramic. These materials vary in durability, strength, appearance, and cost. Regardless of the material used to make your full-coverage crown, there are steps you can take to support its longevity and help it protect your tooth for as long as possible. Maintaining effective oral hygiene habits, including regular visits to the dentist, may be the single most important thing you can do to preserve the integrity and longevity of your dental crown, as well as the health of your oral cavity. If you gravitate toward extremely hard foods, like nuts or hard candy, try to curb this habit and keep potentially damaging foods to a minimum. Similarly, if you tend to use your teeth to open boxes or bottles or otherwise treat your teeth as tools, you’re setting yourself up for possible breakage or damage and could significantly shorten the crown’s lifespan. If you have bruxism, which is the term for habitually, perhaps unconsciously grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw, make sure to use a mouthguard to protect your teeth and jaw while you sleep. Bruxism is a common condition that can lead to excessive damage to the teeth and crowns, and your dentist can help you choose the right mouthguard and monitor your teeth for damage over time.

Of course, the location of the full-coverage crown also affects its lifespan. A crown placed on a molar, in the back of the mouth, will bear more force and a different force than the other teeth, and these crowns often wear down faster than crowns in other parts of the mouth. Dentists can compensate for this, at least somewhat, by choosing more durable materials, like metals, for crowns on the molars. Even the most carefully planned crowns can still fail, becoming loosened by food or floss, though this is unlikely when the crown is properly fitted. If, however, your crown does loosen and fall out, try to save the crown; if it’s still in good condition, your dentist may be able to cement it back in place. When crowns themselves break, however, they need to be replaced. Most dental insurance providers allow patients to replace their full-coverage dental crown every 5 years, though it’s often unnecessary to replace a crown so quickly; if the crown fits well and is comfortable, it’s okay to leave it in place and let it ride out its lifespan, protecting and supporting your damaged or broken tooth.

Related Article: Indication for Full Coverage Crowns