Uncover the variables that can determine how long your crowns last, and learn tips on how you can maintain them for an extended duration below!
How much time will a crown remain on your natural tooth?
The life expectancy of a dental crown varies greatly, lasting anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
What are the factors that influence dental crown longevity?
Factors such as oral hygiene habits, lifestyle choices, and even the materials used can drastically affect how long a dental crown lasts. Knowing what impacts your particular case is essential for getting years of use out of any type of restoration work.
Lifestyle habits
Your daily routine can have a significant impact on the longevity of your crowns. If you open bottles with your teeth, for instance, this may lead to chipping and breaking over time. Protection with a mouthguard is essential when playing contact sports – if not worn, there’s an increased risk that crowns could be knocked loose as well.
Oral hygiene
Although dental crowns are immune to decay, the tooth underneath can be harmed or become infected if proper oral hygiene is not maintained. If you’re careless with your dental crown, its cement could break down and cause it to fall off. It’s essential for you to take care of your teeth – especially when a dental crown is involved!
To make sure your dental crown lasts, prioritise brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing once daily.
Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Are you familiar with the term ‘bruxism’? It’s a medical condition that refers to teeth grinding or clenching. What you may not realise is that bruxism can play a considerable role in eroding dental crowns when done persistently, resulting in chips, cracks, and other forms of damage over time.
Dental crown location
The longevity of your dental crown may be impacted by the placement of your tooth. For instance, the premolars and molars in the back of your mouth experience a higher amount of pressure than teeth located towards the front, thus potentially causing them not to last as long.
Dental crown materials used
There are three types of tooth crowns that can be constructed from various materials, each with its own longevity. Porcelain fused to metal, all-ceramic crowns, all-porcelain, and metallic versions are the most commonly used varieties.
Porcelain crowns are made from ceramic materials that give them outstanding durability, with a survival rate ranging anywhere from 90.7% to 96.6%. Thus, this type of tooth restoration offers you lasting performance and great protection for your teeth!
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns provide strength and longevity, as the metal base is reinforced with a porcelain layer. Crowns of this type typically remain viable for anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
Metal crowns, which are constructed from a combination of palladium, nickel, gold, or chromium alloys, offer remarkable durability and strength. Indeed, they can stand the test of time for many years!
How to extend the lifespan of tooth crowns?
To ensure that your dental crowns last, proper care and maintenance are vital. While this treatment method has been commonly used for many years with great success, if it’s not looked after the way it should be, its lifespan will be drastically reduced. To maintain your crowns in optimal condition, here are some helpful tips to follow:
Schedule appointments with your dentist
Keeping your teeth in excellent condition is crucial and requires routine dental visits. Regular appointments with the dentist give you an opportunity to identify any potential issues early on, allowing for swift treatment before they become more severe. Moreover, at each visit, your dentist will check that all crowns are still properly fitted and functioning correctly.
If you have any inquiries concerning your permanent crowns, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist. They can provide specialised advice on how to preserve them and what steps are necessary for any issues that arise.
Don’t eat chewy and sticky foods
To ensure the longevity of your crown, it is best to stay away from certain types of food.
Anything chewy or sticky, like gum and taffy, can cause serious damage, while meats with bones may loosen and even break off a crown.
Although these treats are tempting, you must resist them for the sake of preserving your precious smile!
Protect your teeth and gums with a mouthguard
Traumatic facial injuries, such as fractures and chips, can be common issues with crowns, so protect your healthy smile by wearing a mouthguard for contact sports or during the night if you grind your teeth. You’ll reduce the risks associated with trauma while keeping that winning grin!
Take the time to floss and brush your teeth for overall dental health
To protect your oral health, it is essential to always keep dental crowns clean. Twice a day, brushing and flossing with specially designed dental floss for crowns or an interdental brush will help reduce the build-up of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
Take caution when flossing around your crowns to ensure they don’t come loose. Rather than using a snapping or hard motion, softly go back and forth as you move the floss in between them.
Get the crown of your dreams at Synergy Dental Group
At Synergy Dental Group, our friendly and knowledgeable dentist is dedicated to providing you with quality dental care. We offer porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal and metal crowns crafted from the highest-grade materials for superior strength and durability. Our service is second to none, and we ensure your crowns are properly fitted for optimal results.
Make an appointment today and get your teeth looking perfect in no time! Our experienced dental staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about tooth restoration options available at Synergy Dental Group. With our professional services, you can trust that your crowns will look good and last as long as possible.
Schedule your appointment with Synergy Dental Group now on (03) 7003 2185.
References
Dental Crowns: Everything You Need To Know
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/what-are-dental-crowns/
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns versus All-ceramic Crowns: A Review of the Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK304697/
How Long Can You Expect a Dental Crown to Last?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-crown-last