How Long Dental Crown Last

Dental crowns are a great way to restore a tooth that is fractured, been treated with root canal therapy, or has extensive decay. Having a tooth that has cracked or broken off, a crown will enable you to keep that tooth which otherwise may have required extraction. How long your dental crown lasts is affected by a few things which are listed below.

What Affects the Lifespan of a Dental Crown

Dental crowns bring compromised teeth back to a healthy state. A few things to keep in mind when a crown has been presented as your best treatment option include:

  • The material used and placement: Porcelain crowns are the more popular choice for its aesthetics. Porcelain is strong and can be tinted to match your other teeth giving you the appearance of a completely natural smile. Gold and other metals are even stronger and can be used instead of porcelain but only on back teeth since they cannot be tinted to match and will be their natural metal color. Your dentist will help you determine which material is best for you and make sure that you have a well fitting crown.
  • Bad personal habits: Bruxism is the unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth and is very common during sleep. Just like your natural teeth, crowns can crack or become fractured. Your Dentist may advise that you be fitted for a night guard (a sleep appliance that fits over your teeth and acts as a buffer for clenching and grinding) which will greatly increase the life of your crown and natural teeth. Additionally, chewing on things like ice or hard candy is something you will want to avoid.
  • Oral hygiene habits: Even if you have a well fitting crown, poor oral hygiene is a short trip to developing decay under your new crown. Oral hygiene is always important; be sure to care for your teeth and gums so they stay healthy and enable you to keep your crown for as long as possible.

How long should my dental crown last?

Like anything else, the care you take in maintaining your crown will determine how long it will last. You can expect your dental crown to last up to 30 years if you practice good home care and keep up regular visits to your dental office for your routine cleanings and check-ups.

If the tooth is healthy enough, your Dentist may be able to save some tooth structure by using a ¾ crown. Your Dentist will use impressions of your mouth to ensure that your crown fits snugly. The crown has to fit tight around the tooth in order to avoid an open margin which will leave you with a food trap and lead to decay under the crown or allow the crown to loosen and come out. You can have a crown recemented but that is a temporary fix and the crown will eventually need to be replaced.

More on Dental Crowns : What are Dental Crowns?