How Long Do Dental Crowns Typically Last?

Dental crowns are known for restoring and increasing the functionality of damaged teeth. Without proper care and maintenance, crowns are prone to cracking, breaking, becoming loose and even getting decay. To get the most out of your dental crown, you need to understand the proper care of these prosthetics, and habits to can help you extend the life of your crown for several years to come.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last

Dental crown treatments are unique to every patient. Furthermore, every patient has a specific diet, habits, and oral hygiene routine that can affect the lifetime of their restoration. On average, dental crowns will last anywhere from 5 to 30 years, some last even longer with excellent oral care.

What Factors Can Predict Dental Crown Lifelines

It can be difficult to estimate how long a dental crown will function properly until needing to be replaced, but there are a few factors known to predict a patients chances for a shorter or longer result:

  • Dentist Review: Chances are your dentist knows their way around a crown! Asking your dentist for an estimate as to how long your crown may last is the best professional advice available. Your dentist knows the condition of your mouth and can examine your dental history to help predict a reasonable lifetime for your crown.
  • Condition of Teeth: There are instances where teeth are unable to hold onto a crown. These teeth can often be spotted by your dentist and can result in a shorter lifetime for your crown than the average expectancy.
  • Proper Fit: If you experience trouble with your crown fitting from the beginning, chances are your crown will not be lasting long at all. Some patients require switching dentists to receive a better fitting crown for a more extended expectancy rate with the procedure. Other patients may undergo extraction for troublesome teeth, resulting in the need for a dental implant or other replacement option.
  • Oral Hygiene: Once a crown is securely and properly fitted, good oral hygiene habits are critical in maintaining the health of the dental crown. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing will prevent decay from forming around the crown, which can loosen and require removal of the tooth if infected underneath.
  • Crown Materials: Different types of crowns will last longer than others. Certain materials will last longer in some individuals due to a number of factors. It is critical to find a dentist that looks at the right material for a crown for each patient. If you grind your teeth heavily, gold may not be the best material for you.
  • Oral Habits: Eating, biting, grinding, and clenching are all known habits for wearing away at dental crowns. If you have a diet that includes hard and sticky foods, these substances can quickly damage and crack crowns requiring replacement. Grinding and clenching can put extensive pressure on crowns, allowing for the possibility of breaking if continued.

How Often Will Insurance Cover a Dental Crown

Dental insurance plans will typically pay for a replacement crown after a period of 5 years after the initial placement. If you are correctly caring and protecting your mouth, you will most likely be covered when your crown needs replacing. If there are cases in which a crown is broken due to a defective procedure or emergency trauma to the mouth, call your insurance company to see if there are any additional benefits for these types instances.

There is no better way to extend the life of your dental crown than to follow all post-care recommendations. By taking care of your teeth efficiently, you will surely extend the life of your crown, resulting in a practical restoration option in the long run.

Contact Baer Dental Designs for more information on options for your Dental Crown and other general/cosmetic dental needs today. Learn more about Baer Dental.

How Much do Dental Crowns Cost? Learn More.

Call Dr. Baer Today at (303) 557-6453