Wearing your smile in full glory is like wearing a crown. You display it at its best and flash it at anyone who wishes to see it.
Dental crowns, or “caps,” are the gems that allow you to display your smile despite having damaged teeth. Crowns are fitted over your damaged or stained teeth to upgrade your smile.
Dental crowns can give you a smile transformation and help restore your lost confidence and your old smile. It helps solidify your tooth and is affordable for covering stained or discolored teeth.
Because dental crowns are part of a cosmetic dentistry treatment, people tend to shy away from them for cost-related reasons. There are many other doubts that people face such as ‘How long do dental crowns last? We will attempt to answer that query in this blog. But first, let’s understand what dental crowns are.
What is a Dental Crown?
Fixing tooth decay is one of the most common treatments in dentistry. The most uncomplicated way to do that is to fill the cavity. When the decay is a bit deeper, however, your dentist may have to give you a dental crown treatment.
Dental crowns are permanent caps placed on the damaged, decayed, or stained tooth to prevent further deterioration. They can help transform your smile and allow you to display your pearly whites confidently again.
Dental crowns can be used to;
- Protect a weak tooth after a root canal procedure.
- Refurbish a broken or chipped tooth.
- Restore the shape of your teeth and jawbone.
- Help regain the strength and size of the tooth.
Let’s dive into the different types of dental crowns and how long do dental crowns last, depending on their material and make.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? – Different Types of Dental Crowns
Sometimes a cavity can be too large, and there might not be enough teeth to hold the filling. In such an event, dental crowns come to the rescue. Dental crowns are made of different materials, and depending on the preference and requirement, a person can choose the material of the dental crown that best suits them.
Dental crowns can last about ten years when taken care of correctly and if good oral hygiene habits are adopted. When you explain your case to your dental expert, based on your issue, the dentist recommends the type of durability, strength, and material required for your dental crown. Your dentist’s primary concern will always be making your teeth healthy and beautiful.
Here is a short overview of the most commonly opted-for dental crowns and their longevity span.
Porcelain Crown Fused to Metal Dental Crowns
A porcelain crown fused with metal is one of the most popular dental crowns that are requested due to the knack for looking most like your natural teeth. These crowns provide satisfying results aesthetically while also providing the strength of the metal for keeping your cap aligned and fixed to your tooth. It is the perfect combination of power, durability, and aesthetics.
Nonetheless, porcelain is quite adept at chipping; after a while, the metal edge can become visible due to age-induced receding gums. Dentists reiterate that with care and good oral health habits, a porcelain fused crown can provide good use for about five to fifteen years, depending on the quality of the porcelain and metal used. If extra care is taken, sometimes these crowns may last longer.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Zirconia dental crowns are made of zirconium dioxide, a metal closely related to titanium. These crowns are highly durable and resistant. They are becoming increasingly common because of the advantages they offer.
The strength and durability of a zirconia dental crown ensure that full chewing function is restored. Zirconia is biocompatible, meaning there is less chance for the metal to react adversely against the body. These dental crowns are the least likely to crack even after being subjected to full-strength biting actions. With proper oral hygiene and care, zirconia dental crowns can last for around ten to fifteen years, sometimes longer. This makes Zirconia dental crowns get ahead in the ‘How long do dental crowns last’ race.
Resin Dental Crowns
Resin dental crowns are made of acrylic polymer resin; they are an affordable option for patients looking for a low-cost solution to improve their oral cavity function. It is easy to match the color of a resin dental crown with your teeth so that it fits perfectly and cannot be detected.
However, resin dental crowns are the most prone to wear and tear and are the least resistant compared to other dental crowns. Based on the amount of care shown, resin dental crowns can last for three to eight years.
Gold Dental Crowns
Gold is the oldest and one of the most durable metals that can be used for a dental crown. It has been used to repair teeth for hundreds of years. People still opt for gold dental crowns because of their strength and resistance to wear and tear.
Gold dental crowns have a ninety-five percent survival rate over ten years. This means that gold dental crowns have the highest longevity amongst dental crowns in terms of material. With proper dental care, gold crowns can last for several decades.
Dental crowns made of gold are usually recommended for molars at the back because of the strength required for their chewing function. Gold dental crowns also do not look very aesthetically appealing, making them an excellent option when you need a crown in the back of your teeth.
All Porcelain Dental Crowns
All porcelain dental crowns are made entirely of porcelain and are the recommended material for dental crowns on your front teeth. The color of all-porcelain dental crowns matches your teeth quite naturally and helps beautify your smile.
Porcelain dental crowns have a bigger chance of getting chipped, but with proper care, these crowns can last anywhere between six to fourteen years. In other words, the better you care for your dental crown, the longer it lasts.
Le Sueur Family Dental – Providing Lasting Dental Crowns Worthy of Glory
At Le Sueur Family Dental, our team aims to provide ongoing personal care for you and your family. Using state-of-the-art equipment, our highly skilled specialists always look for ways to give you beautifully lasting smiles. When you think of long-lasting dental crowns, think of us.
You can contact us by leaving your details so we can get back to you or by placing an appointment request to meet with us. You can also get in touch by emailing us at office@lesueurfamilydental.com or at (507) 665-6812. We look forward to giving you a long-lasting solution to bring about your forever-beautiful smile.
