A dental crown is a restorative dentistry treatment that completely caps or encircles a tooth or tops a dental implant. Crowns are usually prescribed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are also used to support teeth with large fillings and to protect fractured teeth.
Dental crowns are a versatile restoration that improves the appearance of your smile by masking stains, chipped teeth and worn teeth. While crowns are very durable, they aren’t indestructible.
If you are wondering how long does a dental crown last, the average lifespan of a dental crown is around 5 to 15 years, though this can vary depending on various factors. Learn more about what affects the longevity of your dental crowns and how to extend their lifespan for a healthier smile.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?: Factors That Affect Dental Crown Longevity
On average, dental crowns last up to 15 years. However, several factors can affect the lifespan of a dental crown, including the type of crown, the location of the tooth, your oral hygiene routine, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and teeth grinding.
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Location of the Dental Crown
The location of the tooth can affect the lifespan of a dental crown. Teeth under a lot of pressure, such as the premolars and molars at the back of the dental arch, often don’t last as long as teeth at the front of the mouth.
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Materials Used
How long a dental crown lasts also depends upon the material used. The three most common types of crowns are metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and all-ceramic or all-porcelain.
Metal crowns are typically made from gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium alloys and are known for their strength and durability. Metal crowns can last up to 15 years or more.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are made from a metal core with a porcelain exterior. These crowns are strong and durable, but they can sometimes show the metal beneath the porcelain. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns usually last between 5 and 15 years.
Porcelain crowns are made entirely from ceramic materials. These crowns are known for their lifelike appearance. Porcelain crowns boast a survival rate of 90.7% to 96.6%, depending on the type of porcelain ceramic used. Porcelain crowns are also less likely to cause allergic reactions than metal crowns.
No Gaps Dental offers same-day CEREC ceramic crowns milled on-site from a solid block of zirconia ceramic using CAD/CAM technology. Zirconia crowns have been shown to have a 92.8% survival rate after 8 years.
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Full or Partial Crown
A full crown covers the entire tooth, while a partial dental crown only covers a portion of the tooth. Full crowns are typically used for teeth that are severely damaged or decayed.
Partial crowns (inlays and onlays) are usually prescribed when a tooth requires a larger restoration than a filling, but not a full dental crown. An inlay is used to repair the damage between a tooth’s cusps, whereas an onlay covers the entire chewing surface.
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Oral Hygiene
Dental crowns don’t decay, but the tooth underneath can deteriorate or become infected without proper oral hygiene. This can loosen the cement and cause the crown to fall, or it can cause an abscess that requires removal of the crown and, in some cases, tooth extraction.
To help prolong the lifespan of your dental crown, you should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
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Lifestyle Habits
Smoking, using teeth as tools to open packages, nail-biting, and chewing non-food objects like pens or ice, can all put undue stress on crowns and cause them to fail prematurely.
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Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism can also cause crowns to fail. Bruxism is a condition that causes people to grind or clench their teeth. Teeth grinding places undue pressure – around 250 PSI compared to 40 PSI for normal chewing – which can cause cracks or chips in crowns and cause them to break or wear down over time.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are a common and effective treatment for many dental conditions, but like all dental treatments, they require proper care and maintenance to last.
Here are some tips for taking care of your dental crowns:
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Brush and Floss Twice Daily
Dental crowns can be a breeding ground for bacteria if they are not cleaned regularly. Brushing and flossing teeth at least twice daily and using dental floss designed for crowns or an interdental brush is important.
You may dislodge your dental crowns if you floss too vigorously or snap the floss against your gums. To avoid this, it is important to use a gentle back and forth motion when flossing around crowns.
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Wear a Mouthguard
Common complications with crowns are chips or fractures due to facial trauma. Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports or at night if you grind your teeth can help absorb shock and reduce the effects of trauma.
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Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Routine dental visits are essential for maintaining the health of your crowns. Visits allow your dentist to identify issues early and monitor or treat the problem to protect your tooth. During a regular dental visit, your dentist checks the fit of your crowns and ensures they are still in good condition and functioning correctly.
Talk to your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your dental crowns. They can give you specific instructions on caring for your crowns and what to do if a problem arises.
Restore Your Smile With No Gaps Dental
Dental crowns are an excellent way to restore your smile and improve oral health. Contact No Gaps Dental on (02) 8007 6727 today if you are considering crowns or have any questions about how long dental crowns last and how to make them last longer.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
A practice-based longevity study on single-unit crowns
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29800638/
Dental Crown Procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-crown-procedure#care
Dental Crowns: What are they? Painful? Safe? Expensive? + 11 More FAQs
https://askthedentist.com/dental-crown/
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns versus All-ceramic Crowns: A Review of the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304690/table/T13/
Inlays Onlays Benefits and Side Effects
https://www.docshop.com/education/dental/general-dentistry/inlays-onlays/benefits-risks
Tips for Coping with Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bruxism/tips