Whether you need to restore a broken tooth or cover an implant, a dental crown is the most common restorative procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Let’s explore the different crown types and what to expect from them in terms of durability.
Is a Dental Crown Permanent?
When getting a permanent dental crown, many people believe that they will never have to restore or replace it. However, even permanent crowns are not indestructible. They are expected to last about 15 years on average. This depends on factors like the crown’s material, oral hygiene, diet, and individual health conditions. Metal crowns are the most durable, while composite resin caps have the shortest lifespan.
Temporary vs. Permanent Dental Crown
When you have your tooth restored with a dental crown, you might think you can choose between a temporary or a permanent crown. However, the truth is that you don’t have a choice. A temporary crown, also called a provisional or disposable crown, is only intended to last for a short amount of time. Typically, it takes no more than 12 weeks until your permanent crown gets back from the laboratory.
Permanent crowns are made to stay in your mouth for a long time: usually a decade or more. They are often made of a different material than temporary dental crowns. They are strongly bonded to the tooth they cover for a natural feel and function. Temporary crowns often have the same cosmetic effect as permanent crowns. This ensures you’ll never have to worry about an awkward-looking smile.
Dental Crown Types and Lifespan
Metal
Metal dental crowns are usually used to restore primary molars due to their strength and durability. They can be made of various hypoallergenic metals, including gold, palladium, chromium, and nickel. The main advantage of metal crowns is that they rarely chip or break, withstanding high chewing or biting forces.
Metal crowns only require a small amount of enamel removal and are the longest-lasting type of dental crown. According to clinical reviews, they have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years but can last much longer with proper care.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
PFM crowns combine the durability of metal with the natural look of porcelain. This makes them suitable for restoring front and back teeth alike. Dentists can match the crown shade to the natural shade of your teeth for greater cosmetic value. However, the porcelain coating of the crown may chip off with time, exposing the metal underneath.
The majority of failures are attributed to improper care, traumatic injuries, or inadvertent contact with instruments during surgical operations. This means a PFM crown can last almost as long as a metal crown.
Pressed Ceramic
Designed to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth, pressed ceramic crowns are often used for the restoration of front teeth. They can also be used on the back teeth.
Pressed ceramic crowns are made of two parts. The inner core consists of ceramic pressed in an oven at very high temperatures to increase its strength. It’s then covered by several porcelain layers that offer a natural enamel look.
These crowns can match the natural shade of your teeth and can last for decades with proper care. They have an average lifespan of around 10 to 15 years.
Zirconia
Zirconia crowns are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, offering excellent cosmetic value and a long-lasting result. They are a great choice for people with metal allergies and are gentler on the opposing teeth than pressed ceramic.
Zirconia crowns are made of zirconium dioxide, which is formed into void-free solid blocks. It’s then milled into the tooth shape and baked to gain structural stability and rigidity.
Since they don’t have different layers, zirconia crowns are less likely to chip with use. The finished crown is almost indestructible, with an expected average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Composite Resin
Composite resin dental crowns are the most affordable type. Like PFM, pressed ceramic, or zirconia options, they can match the natural shade of your teeth. These crowns are a great option if you don’t want to spend too much, but the material is more fragile and can become brittle over time.
Permanent composite resin crowns have an average lifespan of three to five years. For this reason, composite resin is more often used for making temporary rather than permanent crowns.
How to Make a Dental Crown Last Longer?
Observe Good Oral Hygiene
While dental crowns can chip or break, they are more likely to fail due to problems with the tooth beneath them. For this reason, you should take proper care of your teeth and gums. This involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily to remove bacteria and food residue.
You should also pay attention to your brushing technique, as pressing too hard can lead to receding gums and an increased risk of gum disease. Our oral hygienists can teach you how to brush your teeth correctly to avoid problems.
Avoid Biting on Hard Objects
Traumatic injuries are one of the main causes of dental crown failure, and one of the most common ways to injure your teeth is by biting on hard objects. You should avoid eating hard foods, such as popcorn with kernels, or chewing on hard candy or ice. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools, for instance, to open bottle caps or packages.
Consider a Night Guard
Bruxism, or teeth grinding at night, is a common problem associated with stress and anxiety in adults and children. Clenching your teeth as you sleep can strain the dental crown. This could lead to premature failure. If you suspect you’re clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep, consider wearing a night guard.
This type of custom-made mouthpiece not only protects your crown but also protects your healthy teeth from excessive mechanical stress. Excessive stress over time can wear down the enamel, causing dental issues.
Use a Mouthguard for Sports
If you are into sports, consider using a mouthguard to protect your teeth and dental crowns from traumatic injuries. Accidental contact with balls, bats, sticks, or other objects can cause trauma to the crown. This could lead to a dental crown failure. Wearing a mouthguard is even more important if you’re into contact or high-risk sports, such as martial arts or boxing.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
While dental crowns are designed to last, taking good care of them is crucial. One way to do this is to attend your regular dental checkups. During a checkup, your dentist will look for signs of crown wear as well as signs of tooth decay or gum disease.
Should there be any problems, your specialist will be able to address them promptly and efficiently. Catching issues right away improves your oral health and prolongs the lifespan of the lifespan of the dental crown.
If you need to restore, protect, or cover damaged teeth or fillings, a dental crown could be the best solution.
Are You Considering Dental Crown Or Dental Bridge Work In The Martinsburg Area?
If you’re considering dental crowns or dental bridge work you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
