How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
When you are told you need a dental crown in order to save a tooth, it is important to follow through with that treatment before the integrity of the tooth is further compromised. You may be concerned with the lifespan of a crown, as with many other things, is greatly affected by the wear and tear it endures which of course varies from patient to patient.
The Lifetime of a Dental Crown
If you have been told by others that you grind or clench your teeth, you may expect any restorative work done in your mouth to have a shorter lifespan. Your oral hygiene habits and even your eating habits all have some amount of wear that they put your teeth through. Maintaining proper oral hygiene will greatly increase the life of your crown as will using a night guard when you sleep.
The placement of the crown in your mouth can also play a determining factor in the life of your crown. Some crowns are able to last a lifetime whereas others may crack and need to be replaced. On average, a crown can last between 10 and 30 years when well cared for.
Estimating How Long a Crown Can Last
While crowns are a great way to restore broken teeth, there has to be enough tooth structure for the crown to adhere to. Once it has been established that your tooth can support a crown, your dentist will make sure that the crown fits well and is tight around the tooth so there are no open margins which can lead to food traps and catch floss. If the crown is not well fitting, it can loosen prematurely and eventually fall out. Your dentist can re-cement your crown but once a crown falls out, it will need to be replaced at some point. You may be able to make it last a few more years but for the most part, once that initial bond is broken, it needs to be re-established with a new crown.
Most dental insurance companies allow replacement of crowns on a tooth every five to eight years, but if your crown fits properly, you will not be needing a replacement for over a decade at least.
What Affects the Lifespan of a Crown?
There are a few things to be mindful of if you have received a dental crown. These include but are not limited to:
- Bad habits: Grinding or clenching your teeth can cause havoc on your teeth! A night guard is an excellent way to protect your crown and the integrity of your other teeth. You should also avoid crunching down on ice and hard food items, such as hard candies.
- Oral hygiene: Neglecting your oral care routine or not being thorough can easily cause you to lose a crown prematurely. All of your teeth need proper care and decay can develop in the natural tooth structure below the crown.
- Materials used: Metals are more durable than porcelain and ceramic for dental crowns. Porcelain is more commonly used, especially on anterior (front) teeth for aesthetic purposes.
Crowns are a common treatment since they are able to fix so many different dental issues. Speak with your dentist to determine what type of crown will be best for you.
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