Getting a dental crown restores form and function to a damaged or diseased tooth. Also known as a dental cap, a crown uses your existing tooth as a base structure and is fitted over it. Dental crowns can prevent a decayed or weakened tooth from further damage or deterioration and while they don’t last forever, they can last for a very long time with good dental care. Let’s take a look at how long do crowns last.
When Are Dental Crowns Used?
A dental crown is used in place of a filling when the decay or damage is significant and a large part of the tooth is missing. Some of the events that could necessitate you getting a crown include
- Severe decay
- Badly damaged tooth
- Tooth discolouration
- A cracked, chipped, fractured or broken tooth
- As the final stage of a dental implant procedure
- For a dental bridge
- To cover a tooth that has been treated with root canal therapy
How Does The Dental Crown Procedure Work?
Your dentist first needs to ensure that enough of the original tooth is available to support a dental crown. He or she will then prepare the tooth to be restored by filing it down to the same thickness as the new crown. This will ensure a comfortable fit in your mouth. Then an impression will be taken for the dental crown to be based on. Get more details.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
The length of time that your crown lasts will depend on a few different factors:
- Where the crown is positioned in your mouth
- What the dental crown is made of
- Your dentist’s skill level
- How well you look after your teeth and your oral health
Avoiding overly hard and sticky food, and not using your teeth as tools can help to preserve crowns for longer.
What Materials Are Used For Dental Crowns And How Long Do They Last?
The most popular materials for dental crowns include ceramic, metal, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia and composite resin.
- Zirconia crowns are growing in popularity because they are well tolerated, long-lasting and natural-looking.
- Ceramic crowns are also very popular because they create a natural-looking result and are long-lasting.
- Metals are the strongest materials to use for crowns and they rarely break. Patients tend to favour metal crowns at the back of their mouths because of their distinctive colour.
- Composite resin presents a quick and affordable way to make dental crowns, however, it is softer than other materials and doesn’t last for as long.
So, How Long Do Crowns Last?
On average you can expect a timeframe of between five and 15 years for your dental crowns.
Zirconia and ceramic crowns may last for 15 to 20 years with good care. Metal crowns can also last for 10 to 15 years, while composite resin has the shortest lifespan of around five years before it needs replacing.
To find out more about which material is best for you or for more about ‘how long do crowns last’ please contact us for a consultation: (02) 4210 9078.
