Dental crowns are a popular treatment option for restoring the strength, stability, and shape of your teeth. Your dentist may prescribe a dental crown if you have severe tooth decay, need a root canal, or have a weak tooth. However, many patients wonder how long do dental crowns last?
The answer depends on the type of material used in your dental crown and other factors such as your oral hygiene habits and lifestyle choices.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
The average lifespan for a dental crown is between 5-15 years. Your dentist may recommend one of the different types of dental crowns, such as ceramic or porcelain crowns, depending on the location in your mouth, any allergies you may have and your preferences.
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All-Ceramic Crowns
Ceramic dental crowns can match your natural teeth so they blend seamlessly with your smile. If you are allergic to metal, your dentist may recommend an all-ceramic dental crown. They are biocompatible, which means they don’t have metal in them and are non-toxic.
Even though all-ceramic dental crowns are typically recommended for the front teeth, the survival rate of all-ceramic crowns doesn’t differ much depending on their location. Over 9 years, all-ceramic dental crowns have a survival rate of 87.4% for front teeth and 85% for back teeth.
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Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crowns (PFMs)
A porcelain fused to metal (PFM) dental crown strengthens the tooth due to its metal structure and porcelain coating. The metal core offers high durability making it suitable for teeth at the back of the arch, while the porcelain outer gives the restoration a realistic appearance.
These dental crowns can last up to 15 years on average if you follow a good dental hygiene regimen and visit your dentist regularly.
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Metal Crowns
Unlike porcelain fused to metal crowns, metal crowns are completely made from metal, typically gold alloy. Gold alloy is extremely durable, and ideal for the teeth at the back of the dental arch. Metal crowns can withstand the intense grinding and crushing pressure put on molars.
How Long Do Crowns Last? Care for Your Dental Crowns to Prolong Their Lifespan
Your dentist can recommend ways to maintain your dental crowns after your dental crown procedure.
- Brush and floss your teeth twice per day. Ensure you keep a proper oral hygiene routine. Use fluoride-based toothpaste, and avoid whitening products because they may contain abrasive ingredients that could prematurely erode your dental crown.
- Avoid using your teeth as a tool. Opening packages, biting your fingernails, and chewing ice or on hard items like nuts and hard lollies, puts undue pressure on your dental crowns and may cause cracks and chips.
- Wear protection when playing contact sports. A custom mouthguard provides shock absorption to prevent injuries to the face, loosening or breaking your dental crown.
- Use a nightguard. If you suffer from bruxism, visit your dentist to be fitted for a nightguard or splint. This prevents you from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws which can cause damage to your dental crown.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Biannual visits to your dentist can help protect the teeth and gums surrounding your dental crown and allow the dentist to identify whether your dental crown is loose or damaged so that it can be replaced.
Choose the Right Dental Crowns for You
When you meet with our dentist, Dr Kim, you can learn more about how long do crowns last, based on your unique smile and oral health. She can discuss how many years you can expect your crowns to last and which of our dental crown treatment options is right for you during your consultation at our practice in Glenmore Park.
Book an appointment with Dr Kim and the team at Bright Dental Group on (02) 4708 9691. We offer payment arrangements through ZipMoney to accommodate all budgets while ensuring quality care for every patient.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
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