Home News & Blog How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? The Determining Factors

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? The Determining Factors

14th April 2022

Natural teeth display remarkable resistance to damage and wear; however, your teeth can break, crack, decay, and discolour due to poor oral hygiene or facial trauma.

Dental crowns are a popular restorative solution for damaged teeth, helping you regain functionality and limiting further decay. They are typically used to cap a tooth following a root canal treatment and complete a dental implant. Dental crowns can also improve the appearance of your smile.

If your dentist has recommended a dental crown to fix a damaged or worn tooth, you’re probably wondering how long do dental crowns last and if they are the best option to repair your smile.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? The Determining Factors

Dental crowns have an average lifespan of about 15 years long with routine dental visits. However, the longevity of dental crowns is also determined by several other factors, including:

Care and maintenance

longevity of dental crowns sydney Dental crowns require an excellent at-home oral hygiene routine and regular professional cleanings, just like your natural teeth. Neglecting your oral hygiene can accelerate wear and tear on your dental crowns and may lead to more serious dental conditions like periodontitis (gum disease).

Brush and floss twice a day, especially along the line where the dental crown meets the gum. You should also visit your dentist twice a year for routine cleaning and to ensure your teeth and dental crowns are healthy to increase their lifespan. Your dentist checks that your dental crown still fits well and doesn’t need to be replaced due to wear and tear.

Bad habits

Habits like biting your nails, chewing on pens or ice, and using your teeth to open packages increase wear and tear on teeth and dental crowns. Even oral health care habits like brushing too hard with a firm bristled toothbrush can cause damage over time. A severely worn or damaged dental crown typically can’t be repaired because it could compromise your oral health. It has to be replaced.

Bruxism

Oral conditions like bruxism (jaw clenching and teeth grinding) may also cause your crowns to loosen, chip, or fracture. It’s estimated that 5% of Australians grind or clench vigorously. Bruxism often occurs unconsciously while sleeping, so it can be hard to detect.

Your dentist may recommend that you wear a nightguard while you sleep if they notice signs of bruxism. Wearing a nightguard can protect your dental crowns and natural teeth from wear and tear and reduce or eliminate other symptoms of bruxism like headaches and jaw ache.

Dental Crown material

Dental crowns are made from various materials, including gold, metal alloys, and ceramic.

Gold and metal alloys

According to Healthline, gold and metal alloys have been used in dentistry for thousands of years. Gold crowns have an average 74% survival rate after 30 years, demonstrating exceptional durability and longevity. However, they are the least natural-looking crowns and occasionally cause adverse allergic reactions in patients. Gold and metal-coloured crowns are mainly used for molar restorations at the back of the dental arch.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine porcelain and metal alloys (usually cobalt, nickel, or chromium), providing durability and a natural aesthetic. The metal base is fitted below the gum line, meaning the porcelain-coated cap is the only visible section. PFM crowns are a popular choice for front and back teeth restorations.

The main drawback is that the metal base often becomes visible if your gums recede. PFM crowns have an average survival rate of 97% after 10 years.

Composite resin

Composite resin is primarily used for fillings and dental bonding. It fixes small chips and fills cavities or minor gaps between teeth. Composite resin is made from a combination of polymer-based materials. It is a popular material for a variety of restorative procedures, including dental crowns because of its natural appearance.

However, composite dental crowns lack durability. They are susceptible to fracturing and are far less resistant to wear and tear than other dental crown materials. Composite dental crowns have an average 59% survival rate after just eight years, so they need to be replaced more frequently than other options.

Ceramic and porcelain crowns

All-ceramic and porcelain crowns are an excellent option for dental crowns placed in your front six social teeth. Their finish has the same translucent properties as your natural teeth for a realistic look.

Ceramic dental crowns are more stain-resistant and less prone to chipping and breakage than composite crowns. According to a 2007 systematic review, they also have an estimated survival rate of 93.3% over five years.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? CEREC Technology

Ceramic is one of the most popular materials for modern tooth restorations. At No Gaps Dental, we use the chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramics (CEREC) to provide high-quality ceramic crowns. This technology allows us to offer same-day dental crowns.

long lasting crowns for teeth sydney The oral examination, dental crown design, and fabrication occur on-site so that the entire procedure can be completed in a single visit.

Our CEREC system features an intraoral camera that scans your teeth, gums, and jawbone to create digital impressions. We then use computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) technology to create 3D mockups of your mouth. We send the data directly to the on-site milling machine for fabrication once the design is complete.

Our milling machine fabricates precision custom crowns from a single block of zirconia ceramic. This gives it durability and a natural aesthetic. An individual dental crown typically takes 15 minutes to fabricate.

Your dentist helps you choose from a variety of ceramic blocks to find a colour that matches your existing teeth and natural complexion. The average lifespan of our ceramic dental crowns is 15 years.

Get Long-Lasting Crowns in a Single Visit at No Gaps Dental

A dental crown can restore your tooth to its natural condition, renewing your smile and self-confidence. Schedule a consultation or call us on (02) 8806 0227 to discuss the dental crown procedure and learn more about how long dental crowns last with one of our experienced dentists today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.