How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? Factors That Affect Their Lifespan

Dental crowns remain one of the most effective solutions for restoring or even replacing teeth to regain a complete, natural-looking, beautiful smile that also functions as well as your natural teeth. When making the decision to invest in dental crowns, one of the first questions patients often ask is how long they can expect their dental restorations to last. With proper care and healthy habits, most patients can enjoy their dental crowns for up to 10 years or longer, though this can vary based on factors like dental hygiene, clenching and grinding, risky activities, and others.

Here, the knowledgeable Cranston, RI dental restoration team at Dr. Matrullo & Associates provides additional information on how long a dental crown can last, what can damage or stain a dental crown, and tips for keeping crowns strong and attractive for as long as possible.

When is a dental crown used?

Dental crowns may be recommended in a number of situations where patients have a damaged, compromised, or missing tooth (or multiple teeth). Crowns typically are placed over a damaged tooth to protect it from further wear while restoring a more appealing look and allowing patients to once again eat and speak normally. In cases of a missing tooth or teeth, crowns can be anchored with dental implants. Some of the most common reasons a dental crown may be recommended include:

• Cracked tooth
• Broken tooth
• Severe tooth decay
• Old, large, or failing dental filling
• Tooth damaged beyond repair
• Tooth treated with a root canal
• Missing tooth or teeth

Do dental crowns last forever?

Depending on a person's age and life expectancy at the time they get dental crowns, their newly restored smile could theoretically last for the rest of their life. However, it is important to understand that dental crowns are not necessarily designed to last indefinitely. Like natural teeth, crowns — though highly durable — are susceptible to wear and tear and may need to be repaired or replaced at some point. Generally speaking, crowns can last between 5 – 15 years, with most patients enjoying their dental crowns for at least a decade before repair or replacement of a dental crown may be needed.

What can damage a dental crown?

Again, dental crowns are extremely durable and can function as well as — or even better than — natural teeth, but they are not indestructible, and it is important to avoid habits that can compromise dental crowns. Some of the factors and habits that can stain or damage a dental crown include:

• Smoking
• Poor oral and dental hygiene
• Not visiting the dentist for regularly scheduled exams and cleanings
• Clenching and grinding teeth
• Playing high-risk sports without an athletic mouth guard
• Using teeth as tools
• Eating/drinking things that stain crowns, including red wine, coffee, and tomato sauce

By avoiding these habits, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall, you can keep your dental crowns strong, healthy, and beautiful for over a decade or longer.

Get the smile you were always meant to have with dental crowns in Cranston, RI

Whether you have severely damaged teeth or you're looking to get a celebrity-worthy smile that can last for up to 15 years, dental crowns may be a fantastic place to start. To learn more about the stunning transformations that are possible with dental crowns, call our friendly team at Dr. Matrullo & Associates to schedule a consultation with our Cranston, RI dental crown specialists today.