How Long Will Dental Crowns Last? Answers from Bondi Dental

How long dental crowns last depends on several factors, including oral hygiene, food intake, accidents to the tooth, and the kind of dental crown.

Keep reading to find answers to your questions about dental crowns and ways to make them last longer.

The Purpose of Dental Crowns

When a tooth becomes weak, decaying, or fractured, a dental crown is utilised to restore it. They rebuild the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and aesthetics.

Crowns are used to:

• Preserve a fractured or damaged tooth from breaking or stabilising fragments of a chipped tooth
• Repair a previously damaged tooth or a tooth that was significantly eroded
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t much tooth left
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Cover misshaped or severely discoloured teeth
• Cover a dental implant
• Make a cosmetic modification

Since crowns cover the part of the tooth visible above the gum line, they can restore the tooth’s shape and structure while addressing its cosmetic and functional issues.

Factors Influencing The Longevity Of Dental Crowns

These factors are essential in ensuring that a dental crown lasts long:

• Oral hygiene: Tooth decay can be averted by brushing and flossing and pursuing regular dental check-ups, and the crown’s health can be maintained.
• Eating habits: Avoiding sticky, hard, or excessively chewy foods can prevent damage to the crown and surrounding teeth.
• Clenching/grinding the teeth: Bruxism can put excessive pressure on the crown, leading to premature wear and potential fractures.
• Biting fingernails: This habit can exert unnecessary force on the crown, risking its stability and longevity.
• Chewing ice: Ice can be hard enough to cause microfractures in the crown, weakening its structure over time.
• Drinking extremely hot beverages: Sudden temperature changes can stress the crown material, potentially leading to cracks or breakage.
• Using the teeth to open packaging: Utilising teeth for tasks other than chewing can cause chips, cracks, or dislodgement of the crown.
• The material used to make the crown: The choice of material for the crown, whether porcelain, ceramic, metal or a combination, influences its durability and longevity. Opting for high-quality materials and collaborating closely with a skilled dentist ensures the crown is custom-made to withstand daily wear and tear.

If a crown is made with the highest-quality materials, fitted correctly to your bite, and well taken care of, it will possibly last a lifetime.

How Long Will Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns can last several years but are not designed to last a lifetime.

Dental crowns are protective covers for damaged or weakened teeth, restoring their power and functionality. They can last several years but are not indestructible and must be replaced eventually.

Various factors, such as the crown’s material, location within the mouth, and individual dental hygiene practices, significantly impact how long it lasts. While some crowns may last for a longer period of time, it’s generally agreed that they aren’t meant to be there forever.

The state of the dental crowns is inspected by holding regular check-ups and care.

As time goes by, both everyday wear and tear and the possible damage caused by the biting forces or oral habits such as teeth grinding can affect the crown’s integrity in the long run.

Moreover, structural or health changes in the underlying tooth or gum can affect how the crown fits and the time it lasts.

Even proper maintenance can prolong the lifespan of a crown, but it is not expected that it will remain problem-free.

Determining the limitations of the teeth and taking an active part in dental care may help people prolong the service life of their dental crowns while maintaining good oral health in the future.

How To Protect Your Dental Crowns

Though a crowned tooth does not need additional care, it does need 100% protection from decay, just like your natural teeth.

• You must practise good oral hygiene, including flossing every day.
• Ensure that you carefully clean the outer area of your crown beside your gumline.
• Don’t chew on solid objects like ice cubes, pen caps, or popcorn kernels. They can cause overpatting of the crowns, resulting in fracture or displacement.
• Go for regular check-ups to ensure that the crown does not indicate problems with bite damage or decay.
• Do not grind or clench your teeth; this can damage the crown. If you suffer from bruxism, discuss preventive measures like wearing a night guard with your dentist.
• Keep in mind your diet. Choose a sugar—and acid-free diet and focus on nutritional foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products.

By incorporating these proactive measures into your oral care routine, you can safeguard your dental crowns and enjoy optimal dental health for years.

Same Day Dental Crowns in Bondi

Dental crown problems should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure the problem does not worsen.

We recommend contacting your Bondi dentist for a routine check-up to ensure nothing is out of the ordinary.

Call us on (02) 9365 7187 or request your appointment online.

Visit us at 134 Curlewis St in Bondi Beach.