What’s the Dental Crown Lifespan?

If you’ve ever had a damaged or severely infected tooth? You’re likely familiar with dental crowns. These small, tooth-shaped caps that are commonly used to fix these issues, but they can also repair teeth that are misshapen, discolored, and more. Dental crowns are responsible for saving many smiles from further harm, but how long do they usually last? Continue reading to learn about the dental crown and lifespan so you can get an idea of how long your repaired smile will continue to look lovely.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Over time, you will notice your dental crowns begin to wear down. This is completely normal, but it means that you’ll eventually need to have them replaced. Crowns last around 10 years on average, so you will be able to get a lot of use out of your repaired pearly whites. In some cases, well-maintained dental crowns on healthy teeth can even last 25 or 30 years.

Choose not to have a dental crown replaced once it’s past it’s prime, this may result in oral health problems. For one, the tooth will no longer have adequate protection. This may allow bacteria to get into the tooth and cause a cavity to form. If the cavity develops far enough, it will turn into a tooth infection. Leaving this infection untreated may lead to the tooth dying and needing to be pulled.

What Causes Dental Crown Failure?

Though your crowns should last around 10 years, there are several things that may cause them to fail. In this case, you’ll need to have them replaced sooner than expected. A few potential causes of dental crown failure include:

• Poor oral care – If you don’t take proper care of your smile, the tooth under your dental crown may develop a cavity. This will weaken the bond between the tooth and the dental cement that attached the crown to it.
• Chips or cracks – If your crown becomes chipped or cracked, this exposes the vulnerable areas of the tooth to harmful oral bacteria. This may result in dental crown failure.

3 Tips for Caring for Your Dental Crown

With proper care, you can avoid failure and extend the dental crown lifespan. A few tips to do this include:

• Practice good oral hygiene – Be sure to practice proper oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice per day for two minutes as well as flossing each night.
• Avoid teeth grinding – Also called bruxism, grinding your teeth can cause your crowns to wear quicker than they are supposed to. Speak to your dentist about having a night guard made so there is a buffer between the upper and lower arches of your teeth while you sleep.
• Visit your dentist regularly – Make appointments to see your dentist every six months. these visits allow them to thoroughly inspect your smile to ensure that your pearly white and dental crowns are in good condition.

Extending your dental crown lifespan is completely doable with some extra care and regular dental visits. This way, you can enjoy a healthy, full, and well-protected smile for years to come!

About the Practice

The smiles of residents in Norton Shores and the surrounding communities are in good hands with the help of Drs. Ariel and Eric Heisser. They lead the team at Laketown Family Dental and take pride in keeping your smile looking lovely. For patients with damaged smiles, they offer dental crowns to patch them up and improve the look of your smile. They can also give you advice on extending your dental crown lifespan for as long as possible. To make an appointment or for more information, call Laketown Family Dental at (231) 737-2273 or visit their website.