The average dental crown lasts 10 to 15 years. This long lifespan makes dental crowns an excellent choice for many looking to replace damaged or decaying teeth. However, like any restorative dental device, crowns can wear down and potentially suffer damage over time. Various factors impact your crown’s lifespan. This article covers four of the most important factors that determine how long your crown could last.
1. Materials used
Your dentist in Spring Hill, TN, may use various materials for the dental crown. Each differs in its look and durability:
- Zirconia:This advanced ceramic offers excellent durability and a natural tooth look. However, they tend to be the most expensive.
- Porcelain:Porcelain is fairly durable and makes the tooth cap look like a real tooth, but it can be weaker than other materials. It may chip or crack. This crown is often used for the more visible front teeth, subject to less biting force.
- Metal: Metal crowns are often used for rear teeth due to their enhanced durability but less attractive appearance.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: This is a metal crown with an outer porcelain layer. The porcelain may wear down over time, but the metal underneath is much more durable to prevent more expensive damage.
2. Your dental crown maintenance
Dental crowns are not subject to the same threat of decay as normal teeth. However, they still require good dental hygiene and maintenance to last long. This is because poor dental care can cause the underlying tooth to decay further, potentially loosening the crown. Bacteria may also get under the crown and into the damaged or decayed tooth, leading to infection. So, a solid routine will help them last longer:
- Brush twice daily using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste
- Floss once daily, carefully covering all areas between the teeth
- Rinse once daily with a fluoride or antimicrobial mouthwash
3. Bite force
Dental crowns are one of the more durable dental devices, but they are weaker than natural teeth. They may not stand up to bite forces as strongly as natural teeth. Chewing is not often a cause for concern as long as you’re aware of the dental crown. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, may be the bigger worry. This often happens when you’re sleeping at night, so you can’t consciously stop doing it. However, it will wear down the crown.
You may consider getting fitted for a night guard at the dentist. This sits on your top or bottom teeth, separating them so that your teeth clench against the mouthguard instead.
4. External factors
A few external factors may cause acute risks of damage to your dental crown, such as your diet. Hard and sticky foods can cause damage. Hard foods require more bite force to eat, whereas sticky foods can get stuck to crowns and potentially dislodge or damage them. Sugary and acidic foods may not help, either. Sugary foods increase bacteria buildup, whereas acidic foods can wear away at the underlying tooth’s enamel. Avoiding these foods can help prolong the crown’s lifespan.
Another external factor is trauma. Physical trauma or injury to the mouth can damage, loosen, or dislodge the crown from the tooth. Athletes and physically active people should consider a mouth guard and other relevant protective equipment to keep their mouths and crowns safe from trauma.
The bottom line
Dental crowns generally last for a long time, but many factors impact the specific lifespan. Some materials are more durable than others. However, maintenance is crucial for expanding lifespan as well. Beyond that, your biting force, diet, and trauma or injury could impact your dental crown’s longevity as well. Knowing these factors helps you make choices that maximize your dental crowns’ lifespan and avoid complications.
