Sometimes dental crowns can seem like magic. It’s incredible that something applied over the course of two appointments can have such a positive effect on your quality of life. What makes them even more magical is how long they’ll last. If you’re wondering about dental crowns’ lifespan, here’s a guide that should tell you everything you’ll need to know.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
The short answer is that dental crowns tend to last anywhere from 5-15 years. Many factors determine the exact length of time, some under your control, some not.
One thing you can control is how well you take care of your restoration. Dental hygiene is massively important to the long-term success of your restoration. While plaque buildup probably won’t damage your crown, it can lead to an infection in the natural tooth underneath. If the foundation your crown is built on begins to decay, it will fail.
There are, however, some contributing factors you can’t control. One is the location the crown is placed in the mouth; molar crowns that grind up food will wear out faster than ones on your front teeth. Another is the material your crown is made of. All modern materials used in restorative dentistry are deeply reliable, but completely metal crowns are likely to last longer than porcelain.
How To Extend Your Crown’s Lifespan
As mentioned, dental hygiene is key to your restoration’s longevity. “Hygiene,” however, covers many different things. Here are a few tips to keep your crown secure:
- Brush and floss daily
- Don’t use your teeth as tools
- Refrain from biting your nails, pens, or other hard objects
- Quit smoking
- Drink plenty of water
- Brush your tongue
How to Know When Your Crown Should be Replaced
Your restoration won’t last forever. No matter how diligent you are in your hygiene, the wear and tear of daily life means that eventually they’ll need to be replaced. If your crown comes off, you should obviously make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. That said, most crown failures start with hairline fractures too small to notice. That means it’s important to see your dentist biannually, so they can catch these issues before they result in dental emergencies.
The way dental restorations make you feel may seem like magic, but in actuality, a great smile is the result of persistence on your part. If you take care of your crown, it will take care of you for years to come.
About Our Practice
At Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna, we have tailored every part of the dental experience to be as comfortable for you as possible. Our dentists will work with you one on one to customize every aspect of the restoration process. We do this because we want to make sure that all our services are of the highest quality they can be. If you have any further questions about dental crowns, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (614) 475-1874.