How Long Can A Dental Crown Last?

Dental crowns or sometimes called caps by the general public are used to restore teeth with large decay or larger broken fillings.  The crown helps to strengthen the damaged tooth and allow it to return to normal function.  Crowns are also used after a tooth has a root canal procedure wherein the nerve of the tooth has been removed due to infection leaving the tooth vulnerable to fracture.  The crown helps to keep the pieces of the tooth together.  If an individual loses a tooth and undergoes an implant which is a way of totally replacing a missing tooth the crown restores the part of the tooth you see in your mouth. Crowns can also be used for cosmetic reasons such as to replace the color of yellowed or stained teeth or teeth which are too small or misshapen.

Dental crowns are made of different materials.  In the past crowns would be made of gold.  Gold is very biocompatible with the mouth and wears the most similar to your actual teeth.  This prevents the tooth opposing the crown from wearing evenly over time.  Today most individuals will not accept the yellow color of gold so most crowns now contain porcelain which can be matched to the color of the patient’s teeth. Porcelain fused to metal gives the esthetics of porcelain with a metal substructure to support the tooth.  This is especially useful in teeth which have undergone root canal therapy and need additional support.  Today there are also crowns that have porcelain on the outside but instead of metal core a ceramic one is used to support the porcelain.  The advantage of this combination is that the crown can be even more esthetic and is a good choice for patients who have metal allergies.

Crown treatments require two appointments.  The first is when the actual tooth is put back together and an impression is taken to send to the lab which makes your final crown restoration.  On the second appointment your new crown is bonded onto the prepared tooth structure remaining in your mouth.  During the period between the two appointments which is generally several weeks a temporary restoration is placed in your mouth that allows you to continue to function normally.

So how long does a dental crown actually last?  Most crowns will last for many years.  A gold crown could last a lifetime.  The problem with crowns versus your own tooth is that your own tooth is a complete structure while the crown is like a hat on your head.   There is a crown margin all around your tooth where the crown ends and your tooth begins.  This area over time can develop decay causing the crown to fail.  Your part in this scenario is to brush and floss your teeth twice a day every day.

You need to keep this crown margin clean.  Also since porcelain is glass and you will apply a tremendous pressure to it when chewing there is the possibility of the porcelain breaking.  A crown prep is a large restoration on your tooth and sometimes the nerve within the tooth will die or become infected.  If this happens a root canal will be needed which can reduce the longevity of your tooth.

Insurance companies which do not want to pay for re-treatments believe if a crown lasts five years it is a success.  However crowns can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years.   At this point the crown may still be successful but from an esthetic standpoint the patient may want to replace it.

Looking for a Dentist Who Does Crowns in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment.  Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs.  We look forward to seeing and taking care of you.