18 Jun How Long Will Dental Crowns Last?
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped “caps” that are placed over the tooth to cover the tooth and restore its size, strength, and shape. It also helps enhance the tooth’s appearance. Once cemented into place, dental crowns will fully encase the whole visible portion of the tooth lying at and above the gum line.
When are dental crowns necessary?
Dental crowns might be recommended in the following scenarios:
- Prevent a weak tooth from breaking
- Restore a tooth that’s broken or severely worn down
- Support a tooth with a large filling
- Hold a dental bridge in place
- Cover a severely discoloured or misshapen teeth
- Cover a dental implant
- Make a cosmetic enhancement
Dental crowns may also be used on baby teeth in the following situations:
- Save a tooth damaged by decay but can’t support a filling
- Protect the tooth that’s at high risk for tooth decay, especially if the child has poor oral hygiene
What possible problems can develop with a dental crown?
Sensitivity or discomfort. A newly crowned tooth can become sensitive after the procedure. This can be attributed to the anaesthesia wearing off. If the tooth that’s crowned still has a nerve, the patient might also experience sensitivity to both heat and cold. In similar instances, brushing using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth might be recommended.
Loose crown. In some instances, the cementing material used to put the crown in place can get washed out from under the crown. This will not only cause the crown to loosen, it might also allow bacteria to leak in and cause tooth decay. If the crown feels loose, schedule a visit to the dentist right away.
Chipped crown. Crowns that are made of porcelain or those crowns that are porcelain fused can sometimes chip. If the chip is just minimal, a composite resin may be used to repair the crown. However, if there is extensive chipping, replacing the crown may be the recommended solution.
Crown falls off. There are various reasons that can cause a crown to fall off. Reasons can include loosening of the cementing material used to put the crown in place or decaying of the underlying tooth. If you can’t see a dentist within the day, consider it a good idea to give your dentist a call so you’ll have an idea how to care for the tooth and the crown until you can visit your dentist for evaluation.
Dark line on the crowned tooth. For those who have porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, having a dark line next to the gum line is normal. The dark line is actually the metal of the crown showing through. While this is not a problem for some, others might not find it visually appealing. Fortunately, there is an option to replace the crown with an all porcelain or a ceramic one.
How long will dental crowns last?
On average, dental crowns can last from 5 to 15 years. However, the lifespan of the crown will depend on several factors like the amount of wear and tear it is exposed to, how good your oral hygiene habits are, and if you have mouth-related habits that can be detrimental to the crown (i.e. clenching or grinding of the teeth, biting fingernails, chewing ice, etc.).
