What is a Dental Crown?
If you have been dealing with a weak or damaged tooth, it is very likely your dentist has spoken with you about dental crowns. Dental crowns are a great option to protect and heal your damaged teeth. Think of it like a helmet. It is an artificial tooth-shaped cap that is fitted over a weak or decaying tooth to protect it, just like a helmet. Crowns are made to mimic the shape, color, and size of natural teeth and can be made of various materials such as porcelain, gold, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or ceramic.
What are Dental Crowns Used for?
There are a number of reasons a dentist will recommend a dental crown. A crown can be used to repair a weak or decaying tooth, to attach a dental bridge, fix a misshapen tooth, or restore a dental implant, to correct a misaligned tooth, or improve or fix the appearance of an existing tooth.
How Long Do They Last?
On average, a dental crown lasts between 10 and 15 years, but if properly cared for can last for 20 to 30 years. Additionally, the type of crown also depends on its lifespan.
- Ceramic: This type of crown provides a very natural look. They have a high resistance to varying temperatures but can be more brittle than metal and prone to chipping. Ceramic crowns often last between 10 and 15 years.
- Porcelain & Metal: This type of crown is made by fusing porcelain to metal. This type of crown is good for molars or other teeth that experience a lot of pressure or grinding. Similar to ceramic crowns, porcelain fused to metal often lasts between 10 and 15 years.
- Porcelain: They look very natural and are best for restoring the front teeth. With that being said, they are not nearly as strong as metal crowns and can also be more expensive. Porcelain crowns last around 10 years.
- Gold: Gold crowns, which are often a mixture of copper and other metals, provide great strength and durability. They are not common due to the color, but are known to be the most durable and long-lasting. Gold crowns can last over 20+ years.
- Zirconia: Zirconia crowns are relatively new. They provide the strength that a metal crown does, with the aesthetics of porcelain or ceramic. Zirconia crowns can last between 15 and 20 years.
How Do You Care for a Dental Crown?
Caring for your crown is essential for it to last and perform to its full potential. See below for some helpful tips:
- Floss all of your teeth daily. Make sure to gently floss between each tooth while curving the floss into a ‘C’ shape around the crown, while rubbing up and down to get below the gumline.
- Be very gentle with your teeth and gums when brushing.
- Avoid hard foods like hard nuts, candy, or ice.
- Do not grind your teeth. If you do so at night, talk to your dentist about a night guard.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have more questions regarding the longevity of a dental crown.
Related Article: What are Dental Crowns?