Long Live the King: How Long Can a Dental Crown Last?

A dental crown can restore a damaged tooth to its original function and appearance after injury, decay, or a dental procedure like a root canal. They are customized to fit the needs of individual patients and can be applied in as few as one appointment. However, they don’t last forever and will eventually need to be replaced. Here’s how long your dental crown can last and how you can make sure it does so for as long as possible.

How Long Can My Dental Crown Last?

Dental crowns usually last between three and fifteen years, but the actual amount of time is largely determined by the quality of the crown and the state of the patient’s oral health. A variety of factors contribute to the durability of a dental crown, including:

• The patient’s oral hygiene routine
• The way the patient uses their teeth (such as grinding or nervous chewing)
• The crown’s size
• The reason for the crown being placed
• The crown’s material

What Can Make My Dental Crown Fail Sooner?

Without proper hygiene, the tooth supporting a dental crown can decay and cause the restoration to come loose. If the crown is not the right size or shape, it can endure excessive pressure during the chewing process, which can strain and eventually break its structure or its bond with the tooth. If the patient is using their teeth to open packages or bottles or chew on nonedible items like pen caps, paperclips, or ice or if they grind their teeth while awake or at night, this can damage the crown and cause it to fail sooner.

How Can I Make My Crown Last Longer?

The best way to set your crown up to last for as long as possible is to take care of it properly. This includes treating it to a proper daily oral hygiene routine as well as routine dental appointments. An excellent dental hygiene regimen includes brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash. It is especially important to clean underneath dental crowns at the point where the restoration meets the natural tooth structure because this area can become a haven for harmful bacteria if it does not receive proper care.

While taking excellent care of a dental crown can make it last longer, it will eventually need to be replaced. If you can feel chips in it, if it no longer seems to fit your bite properly, if it begins to look old and tarnished, or if it starts to cause you pain, it may be time to see your dentist for a new crown.

About the Author

Dr. Joe Kern earned his dental doctorate at The Ohio State University and has been practicing dentistry for twenty-two years. Under his leadership, Kern Family Dentistry provides the greatest dental care available in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility. His office in Grafton, ND offers preventative, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry such as dental crown treatments. For more information on making your dental crown last, contact his office online or dial (701) 352-2013.