How Long Do Full Coverage Crowns Last?
There are several factors that will affect the longevity of a full coverage dental crown, including the material used to make the crown and the health and habits of the patient. With proper care, which includes regular, effective oral hygiene and routine dental visits, most dental crowns will last anywhere from 10 to 30 years, and there are many additional measures patients can take to extend the lifespan of their full coverage dental crowns as well. There are several different materials that can be used for full coverage dental crowns, including resin, ceramic or porcelain, pressed ceramic, metal and metal alloys, and porcelain fused to metal. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons, and each is preferred for different reasons and in different circumstances; the factors most often considered include durability and appearance, and these materials vary widely in both regards. Of course, some amount of wear on dental crowns is inevitable, and crowns are more likely to break when they are worn down, but maintaining healthy habits will help extend the lifespan of your full coverage crown as long as possible.
If you grind or clench your teeth habitually, which often happens while people are sleeping, you’re placing excessive wear on your teeth and jaws; just like grinding can cause pain in the jaws and damage the teeth, it can also damage dental crowns. Dentists recommend that patients who clench or grind their teeth wear a nightguard to protect their sleep while sleeping, and many patients also find that they’re able to limit or overcome this dangerous habit by using stress-management treatments and techniques. Even though a crown is an artificial tooth, it’s still imperative to brush the crown, along with all the other teeth and their surrounding tissues, at least twice a day and to floss daily. Regular visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings help support at-home hygiene practices and allow for early diagnosis and treatment of damaging conditions like gum disease, which can shorten the lifespan of a crown and also of the natural teeth.
If a crown isn’t designed properly, it’s possible for food debris or a piece of floss that gets stuck under a crown to dislodge the crown. In the hands of a reputable, experienced dentist, however, this is unlikely. If the crown loosens, however, which can happen if the surrounding and supporting tissues are affected by gum disease or trauma, it becomes easier to dislodge the crown and cause it to fail. Chewing on hard items like ice, hard candy, or nuts, and habitually using the teeth to open bottles or packages will weaken dental crowns, as well as natural teeth, and increase the likelihood of breaking or cracking. If you have a dental crown that cracks, breaks, or falls out, see your dentist. If your crown falls out completely, save the crown and take it to the dentist with you; it’s possible that the existing crown can be reused, though this may weaken its integrity. If your crown breaks or cracks, it will need to be replaced.
When a full coverage crown does fail or fall out, prompt dental treatment is imperative to prevent damage to the exposed tooth, which Most dental insurance companies will fund replacement dental crowns every five years, though you’ll want to check with your own insurance provider to learn the specifics of your plan. Even when periodic replacements are subsidized by insurance, most dentists recommend replacing dental crowns only when needed; if your full coverage crown fits properly and isn’t damaged, there’s no need for a new one.
