There may come a day when your tooth needs some extra support or may even need to be replaced. Thankfully, dental crowns are a great option to give you a natural-appearing tooth alternative that blends beautifully with the rest of your natural teeth.
While they can last quite a while, they aren’t always a permanent solution. So, here’s how long you can expect your dental crown to last.
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns (also known as caps) are commonly used in all types of dentistry. They can be made from zirconia, ceramic, metal, resin, composite resin, and porcelain – though some are more preferred than others for their strength, durability, and appearance.
Dental crowns can be used for so many different reasons. For instance, they are very commonly used to keep a cracked or damaged tooth together, replace large fillings, restore integrity to a decayed tooth, reshape a tooth, or hide discolorations. They can even be used in tandem with dental implants to give you a perfect tooth replacement.
Investing in a dental crown will not only save you from complex dental issues in the future, but it will also give you the confidence to smile. They come with many more benefits, too, such as the fact that they are custom-designed to fit and blend perfectly, as well as the fact that they are durable and long-lasting.
How Long Dental Crowns May Last
While dental crowns may sound like the perfect solution for many dental woes, the question is – how long do they last?
On average, dental crowns last about 10 to 15 years. After this time, it is common for them to need to be replaced due to wear and tear. For those crowns that are well-cared-for, they have a much longer lifespan. Many may last upwards of 20 or 30 years – perhaps even a lifetime.
Extending the Lifespan of Dental Crowns
There are quite a few factors that can impact the longevity of a dental crown, including how well it is cared for, the material it is made from, and where it is located in the mouth. Crowns placed in the back of the mouth, for example, tend to do a lot more work than those placed elsewhere. After all, this is where all the heavy chewing takes place.
Here are a few tips for getting the most life out of your dental crown so that it can last you for years to come:
- Maintain a solid oral hygiene routine. That means brushing at least twice per day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings.
- Avoid eating a lot of chewy or crunchy foods as they can wear the dental crown over time.
- Avoid smoking as it can be detrimental to your oral health, your dental crown, as well as your overall health.
- Seek treatment for bruxism if you have it since constant grinding and clenching can damage the crown.
Most importantly, choose a dental crown that is made of a material that is meant to have a long lifespan, such as zirconia. Of course, having it placed by a highly-skilled dentist is always a benefit, too.
Dental Crowns by Dr. Todd
Dr. Todd Paczewski is well-trained and very experienced in performing all types of dental procedures – including dental crowns. If you are in the area of Wilkes-Barre, Forty Fort, or Hazleton and think you may be in need of a dental crown, contact us today at 570-287-2500 .
Or, request an appointment online.