But, if you need dental crowns, or already have them, you probably share a question with many of our patients, “How long will my crowns last?” There is no specific answer to this, but since installation is a multi-step process, and crowns do cost money, maintaining them for as long as possible is key.
Factors that Determine Dental Crown Longevity
- Location of the tooth
- Condition of the original tooth
- Full or partial crown
- Oral hygiene and care of the crowned tooth
- Harmful habits (Grinding, clenching, chewing ice or fingernails, removing bottle caps)
- Materials used in construction (gold, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, etc.)
- Installation and proper manufacture of the crown
- Periodontal health (gum disease)
- External trauma (accidents)
As you can see, there are many factors to consider. The good news is that most insurance companies pay for a crown to be replaced if failure occurs 5 to 8 years after installation. This is part of why dentists generally estimate that a crown should last from 5 to 15 years.
Studies Demonstrate Success
- When dental crowns are the proper solution for the dental problem,
- When they are manufactured well, using the best materials,
- When installed properly by a dedicated, expert professional, and
- When proper home care is consistently practiced
Dental crowns can last for decades.
One study tracked the success rate of 2,340 crowns across a quarter century. The results showed that after 10 years, the success rate was 97% (2270 crowns that lasted over a decade). At 25 years, the success rate was still a whopping 85%. That means 1,989 out of 2,340 crowns lasted for more than 25 years (Walton, 2013).
So, given good crown materials, manufacturing, and expert installation, chances for long-term success are very high.
Still, there is that 3% at 10 years, and 15% at 25 years that did. This small failure rate should remind us that long-term success is not a certainty – we should take proper care of all our teeth, particularly those with dental crowns.
Guiding Principles for Dental Crown Treatment at Smart Smile Dental
Proper Diagnosis: Dental crowns are one solution among several. At Smart Smile Dental we recommend crowns after determing that they are the best long-term solution and have the highest chance for successful treatment.
Proper Materials: Depending on the location of the tooth or teeth to be treated, the aesthetic goals of the patient, and bite characteristics of the patient’s jaw and teeth, Smart Smile Dental recommends the appropriate material and construction of the crown.
Oftentimes we suggest zirconia for its extreme durability, but in some cases other choices are more appropriate. Your needs and desires as a patient are always our primary concern when choosing which materials are the best for your crown.
Smart Smile Dental: We have installed dental crowns for many years and are practiced at taking into account the factors involved in a successful procedure. We meticulously prepare teeth before placing the crown, and only use the finest cements to seat our crowns.
At Smart Smile Dental, we work hard to give you a pain and anxiety free experience, no matter what treatment is being performed.
Home Care: Smart Smile Dental will partner with you to help you reach the highest possible level of oral hygiene. Good home care is crucial if you want your crown to last! The better care you take of your mouth, the better your chances of having a problem-free dental crown for many, many years.
The Smart Smile Dental Advantage!
Smart Smile Dental offers a full range of offer a comprehensive range of preventative, general and cosmetic dental procedures to improve the quality of your smile.
Our Special Offers
At Smart Smile Dental, our goal is to make top-notch dental care easy and affordable. For more information, visit our special offers page today! If you need a full restoration, we offer a complete Implant and Crown for only $3,500.
Contact us on (03) 8390 5778 or book your appointment online