On average, dental crowns should last for about ten years. Well-maintained crowns can last as many as twenty or even thirty years! There’s a wide range because dental crowns, just like your other teeth, will last depending on your oral hygiene.
Why Would a Dental Crown Need to be Replaced?
- Bite
According to a study reported on in The Scientific American, the average human bites with 171 pounds of pressure between the molars (the farthest-most back teeth). Our natural teeth, as well as dental crowns, are remarkably durable and able to bear the pressures our jaws exert, but people who grind or clench their teeth put them through undue strain. In these cases, both our natural teeth and dental crowns can break. If you grind or clench your teeth in your sleep, talk to us about a night guard. - Decay
Although dental crowns protect your teeth from decay, they still need to be protected from damage and decay. The crowns themselves will not decay, but inadequate brushing and flossing, especially at the gum line, can allow bacteria to make its way beneath the crown to damage the natural tooth underneath its crown ‘cap.’ - Damage
Just like your mom, the dental team at Famington Dental & Orthodontics also doesn’t want you to bite your fingernails! Many people develop habits, like nail biting, ice chewing, and using their teeth as a tool to open packaging, which negatively affect their oral health. These habits put extra stress and wear and tear on your teeth and also your crowns, making them more likely to chip or break.
All of us at Farmington Dental & Orthodontics want you to get the most out of your dental crown, so we’ve compiled this list of tips that will help you protect teeth and your dental crown.
- Keep up with your good oral hygiene habits! Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying special attention to the gum line. Mouthwash is also helpful to prevent plaque and decay on teeth as well as the surrounding surfaces.
- Avoid biting your fingernails! Don’t chew on ice or open packaging with your teeth either.
- Visit Farmington Dental & Orthodontics twice a year. Dental checkups are important to monitor the health of your mouth and your crowns and to determine whether restoration is necessary.
If you think you need a replacement crown or a tooth that needs a crown, call the Farmington Dental & Orthodontics office at (479) 267-5009 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online form to request one:
