How Long Does Dental Crown Last

Modern-day dental crowns are made with durable material, although they are less likely to last a lifetime. Most tooth crown types are made to last between five to fifteen years before needing replacement or repair.

It’s inevitable to change a crown-like if it has suffered severe damage or suddenly fallen out. At times, it’s evident that the crown has a problem, and ignoring it can cause you pain and restlessness.

Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?

The dental crown treatment is included both in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Since crowns cover the entire top part of the damaged tooth, they are often included in stabilization procedures from other dental prosthetics, like bridges and dentures.

Let’s divide the uses of dental crowns into three categories: Appearance, Stabilization, Restoration and Protection.

Appearance

Tooth appearance is regarded as of importance by many people because it contributes to the overall personal outlook. With a pleasing smile, you tend to have higher self-esteem and more confidence. A crown completely covers a stained or severely damaged tooth with a tooth-colored material that matches the natural teeth’ color.

Dental crowns in Bradford, ON, are used severally to cover teeth with a large filling where only a small part of the tooth is left. This is because tooth veneers are unplaceable when you only have a small section of the original tooth.

Better still, crowns provide full coverage on an ailing tooth, totally changing the size, shape, and tooth color. Crowns are used with dental implants for the implant to look as natural as possible, which improves the overall appearance of your mouth.

Restoration and Protection

In addition to appearance, a dental cap is used to improve a tooth’s functioning damaged by decay. Worn-out teeth are also treated using dental crowns when necessary.

Tooth crowns are often used with endodontic treatments, like tooth canal therapy. This procedure involves removing the entire tooth pulp, including the nerve tissue, which leaves the tooth devitalized and has a gaping hollow. This is later filled with a protective material to prevent infections.

A root canal leaves the tooth significantly weaker and brittle than the healthy teeth, so they easily crack. The Bradford dentist places a dental cap over the weak tooth, protecting it from quick damage.

Similarly, crowns are used in restorative dentistry to hold parts of a fractured tooth together, preventing it from further breaking.

Stabilization

Dental crowns in Bradford, ON, are often used to reinforce other loose dental prosthetics, like bridgeworks and dentures. An example is in the dental bridge procedure when crowns are used to anchor a false tooth on both sides of a missing tooth gap. These anchor points enable the bridge to hold firmly onto the jaw.

However, this treatment is less common today since dental implants were introduced. Implants do not need dental work on the adjacent teeth to the tooth gap.

What Determines a Dental Crown Lifespan?

A tooth cap at Holland River Dental has an average lifespan of 10 years. However, when well maintained, the dental crown material lasts for decades.

Considering the type of crown used, the Bradford dentist contemplates the strength, durability, and esthetics of the dental crown material used for the specific situation. Your dentist considers the following when determining the type of material to be used:

• Location of the tooth being treated
• Amount of the remaining natural tooth
• The amount of the crown visible from your smile.

The lifespan of a dental crown is also dependent on the patient’s oral hygiene. To ensure the longevity of your dental crown, follow these hygiene practices:

• Brush 2 – 3 times a day
• Floss your teeth at least once a day
• Go for a dental cleaning after every six months, or twice a year

These additional factors can also affect how long a dental cap will last.

The Dentist’s Expertise. Factors like how much your dentist prepared the tooth and the methods used to take the dental impression for the mold may alter the crown’s actual lifespan. Digital scanners are usually more accurate than modeling materials that use trays for every tooth.

The health of the ailing tooth. If the tooth being treated was initially healthy, with healthy surrounding gum tissue and jaw bone levels, the crown and the tooth are likely to last longer.

Misusing teeth. You should avoid using your teeth as tools, for example, to open bottle tops and even chewing on ice and pen plastics. This can negatively affect tooth crown longevity.

Tooth grinding. Tooth grinding and constant jaw clenching can affect the stability of a tooth crown. It can also wear the crown surface, especially if it’s ceramic made. You can solve this issue by using mouthguards at night.