Dental crowns are a reliable dental restoration solution for damaged teeth. However, a major concern is how long they last. The durability of dental crowns depends on factors such as the material used, proper care, and your daily habits. This article gives an overview of dental crowns, from crown selection to identifying signs of wear and how to extend their lifespan to many years. Whether you are considering a crown or already have one, these insights will help protect your smile in the long run.

Types of Dental Crowns and Their Expected Lifespan

Your choice of crown material directly affects its durability and appearance and determines the lifespan of the restoration. Various materials have pros and cons, and their choice depends on which teeth you need restored. They include the following:

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns have become a leading dental restoration option because they provide remarkable durability, a natural-looking appearance, and superior strength. Made of zirconium oxide ceramic material, they resist fractures and handle powerful biting forces. They work well for both front and back teeth. They also have hypoallergenic properties and biocompatibility, which makes them suitable for patients who want to avoid metal materials.

The surface of zirconia crowns is smooth, which minimizes plaque accumulation and protects gum tissues. Proper maintenance enables zirconia crowns to survive over ten years; certain examples have reached twenty years of service. These crowns need a small amount of tooth reduction and provide excellent translucency to create teeth that look natural.

Zirconia’s hardness could cause wear damage to opposing teeth, mainly affecting people who grind their teeth or clench. They can also be more expensive than traditional crowns. Different solid, layered, and translucent zirconia types allow your dentist to offer tailored solutions. Technological advancement has elevated zirconia crowns to become a leading option for dental restorations because of their improved appearance and versatility.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns

Since their introduction to dentistry, PFM crowns have proven their reliability by combining durable metal bases with porcelain overlays that mimic natural tooth appearance. Porcelain and metal bases make them suitable for both front and back teeth. The chemical bonding between porcelain and metal produces a permanent restoration that withstands daily chewing pressures. PFM crowns have an average lifespan of 5 to 15 years and maintain a 90% survival rate after 10 years when you provide proper care.

PFM crowns are aesthetically pleasing and durable, and their cost is below that of zirconia. An all-ceramic or porcelain layer can develop chips over time, exposing the metal base through a dark glue line. The contact between PFM crowns produces light abrasion on opposing teeth and is not as translucent as natural teeth.

PFM crowns are a widely chosen long-term dental restoration method because they are durable and cost-effective, especially when strength and affordability matter most to you.

E-max Crowns Made from Lithium Disilicate

Lithium disilicate crowns, commonly known as  E-max, are a revolutionary all-ceramic restoration technology with superior durability and a natural tooth appearance. Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic crowns are manufactured from high-strength material that closely mimics tooth translucency to become an ideal solution for front-tooth restorations. These crowns are strong enough to serve most tooth positions in the back of the mouth.

The flexural strength of lithium disilicate crowns reaches between 360 and 400 MPa, which exceeds the strength of traditional porcelain materials. When properly cared for, these crowns effectively resist wear and staining. They can last up to 15 years and have a 90% success rate over 10 years. Their biocompatibility and ability to bond chemically to teeth enhance retention and minimize microleakage.

While lithium disilicate crowns offer outstanding looks, their brittleness demands precise placement due to their lower strength than zirconia. These restorations are more expensive and might not effectively withstand powerful biting forces. Your choice between zirconia and lithium disilicate depends on balancing strength with the desire for a highly natural appearance.

Gold Crowns

Over time, gold crowns have established themselves as highly durable dental restorations, making them a trusted method. They become more durable by combining gold alloys with copper, silver, or platinum metals, which makes them capable of enduring substantial biting pressure. Gold crowns are highly biocompatible because they do not trigger allergic reactions and protect neighboring teeth from wear.

The primary advantage of gold crowns is that they require minimal natural tooth structure reduction when prepared. With proper care, gold crowns can last up to 15 to 20 years and potentially beyond that period. The 10-year survival rate reaches 96%. The material resists cracking and breaking better than porcelain or ceramic materials.

Gold crowns have a drawback because their metallic color makes them unappealing for front teeth. These crowns are best placed on the back teeth, where strength precedes appearance. Gold crowns provide substantial longevity as a long-term investment, although they are expensive due to the high material cost. Despite the growing popularity of tooth-colored alternatives, gold crowns remain a top choice for patients prioritizing durability and reliability.

All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns

These crowns have an outstanding appearance and match natural tooth coloration, which makes them perfect for front teeth positions. The materials used in these crowns are susceptible to chipping, leading to increased wear on adjacent teeth. The average lifespan of these crowns spans between 10 and 15 years.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns constructed from nickel, chromium, or palladium alloys have outstanding durability, enabling them to survive 15 to 20 years and beyond. These crowns need small amounts of tooth reduction, but their silver appearance may show signs of wear and staining; proper care can extend their lifespan beyond 5 to 7 years.

Stainless Steel Crowns

These pre-made temporary crowns are used in pediatric dentistry or as temporary crowns before permanent crowns are fabricated. When used in children, they naturally fall out when milk teeth start falling off.

Key Factors Influencing the Lifespan of Your Dental Crown

The lifetime expectancy of dental crowns depends on the dental materials used, the placement skills of your dentist, your oral hygiene practices, and your personal lifestyle behaviors.

Material Quality

The choice of material directly determines how long a dental crown will last. Metal crowns made from gold alloys are the most durable because they resist chipping and wear. Porcelain and ceramic crowns have a superior appearance but tend to break when exposed to pressure.

Zirconia is an excellent material choice because it is durable and attractive. Front teeth require ceramic materials, but molars need zirconia or gold because they experience more force during chewing. Long-lasting materials extend the lifespan of dental crowns because they successfully fight against wear, staining, and fractures.

Dentist’s Skill in Placement

The success of a crown depends on careful tooth shaping and precise placement techniques. A properly fitted crown blocks open margins, which prevents bacteria from entering and causing decay underneath the crown.

Digital scanning technology has increased accuracy, producing better marginal integrity while decreasing the risk of bacterial infiltration. The correct positioning of teeth helps prevent premature damage. You want to select a dentist with experience who utilizes high-quality techniques because your choice will determine how long the crown will last.

Oral Hygiene Practices

The success of crowns depends heavily on maintaining proper oral hygiene practices. A crown does not experience decay, but the underlying natural tooth can develop plaque and gum disease. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing near the crown edges could help stop tooth decay and gum disease.

When you do not maintain proper oral hygiene practices, you could experience tooth decay. This could force you to undergo crown removal or lose the affected tooth. Regular visits to the dentist for professional cleanings and check-ups enable your dentist to detect any crown wear and fit problems early, which ensures the crown remains in its best condition.

Lifestyle Habits

Proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing between the crown and adjacent teeth, will prolong the life of your dental crown.

Using antibacterial mouthwash with water flosser equipment helps decrease plaque formation. Hard and sticky foods should be avoided because they can cause damage to the crown or lead to dislodgment.

People who grind their teeth should use a custom nightguard to stop wear from occurring. Early detection of potential issues is possible through regular dental check-ups, which should happen every six months. The durability of crowns increases when you maintain a diet containing moderate sugar. These guidelines help your crown survive for numerous years.

When Your Dental Crown Requires Replacement

You should consider crown replacement if you experience any of these symptoms:

Pain or Sensitivity

Ongoing pain or discomfort and sensitivity to hot or cold beverages indicate tooth decay, infection, or an improperly fitted crown.

Visible Damage

Cracks, chips, or discoloration can diminish the protective function of your crown. These signs indicate structural damage to the crown; you must install another one immediately.

Loose or Shifting Crown

When you notice your crown moving during biting or touching, it indicates weakened cement, allowing bacteria to accumulate and cause decay.

Gum Recession and Fit Issues

When gums recede, the edges of a crown become vulnerable, exposing them to decay and discomfort. A crown that shifts from its position will also lead to improper bite alignment.

Dark Lines on PFM Crowns

For porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, dark lines near the gum indicate gum recession, exposing the metal base.

Persistent Bad Breath or Trapped Food

Foul tastes, bad breath, or the inability to remove food near the crown indicate either decay or improper fit problems.

Age of the Crown

Crowns typically last 10–15 years. Your dentist must assess them regardless of their appearance when they have lasted up to ten to fifteen years.

How to Increase the Durability of Your Dental Crowns

By implementing a comprehensive care plan, you can extend the durability of your crowns from their standard 10–15 years up to several decades. Some of the ways you can increase the durability of your dental crowns include the following:

Practicing Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene practices are the base for sustaining your natural teeth and dental crowns. Here are some key components:

  • Brushing and Flossing

You should clean your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This practice helps remove plaque and prevent decay from forming beneath the crown by protecting the crown margins.

Floss daily to clean the areas between the crown and adjacent teeth because a toothbrush cannot access those spaces. People with challenging crown designs should use floss threaders or interdental brushes to maintain proper flossing.

  • Rinsing and Mouthwash

The use of antibacterial mouthwash decreases bacterial levels in the mouth, reducing the risk of gum disease and decay development at crown margins.

Strong mouthwash rinses should be avoided because they could harm your enamel or the bonding material of the crown.

Diet and Oral Health

Consuming foods containing sugar or acidity speeds up tooth decay development. Crowns’ resistance to decay does not protect the tooth structure or crown-tooth interface from potential damage.

Drinking water helps remove food debris and keep your mouth pH neutral, especially after eating.

Avoiding Harmful Habits

You should never use your teeth to open packages or bite objects that are not food items because this could damage your crowns. Unnecessary pressure applied to crowns through such actions can result in fractures and dislodgment of the restoration.

You should take caution while consuming hard foods because biting into ice, hard candies, or nuts could dislodge the crown. Cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing with your back teeth can lessen the impact on your crown.

Regular Dental Visits for Monitoring Crown Integrity

Regular visits to your dentist help detect problems with your crowns early, so they stay in their best condition.

  • Routine Check-Ups and Cleanings

During your scheduled six-month dental visits, you should visit your dentist, undergo a professional cleaning, and have crown condition assessments and margin inspections performed.

Dental X-rays during check-ups help identify hidden tooth decay and other problems that standard visual examinations cannot detect.

Early Intervention

Detecting crown failure symptoms like chips, loose margins, and cracks early helps prevent additional damage. Your dentist may recommend re-cementing a loose crown or replacing a damaged one before it affects the underlying tooth.

Your bite or the condition of the crown might change over time. Regular dental appointments allow professionals to make essential changes that preserve the fit and functionality of dental crowns.

Find Dental Restoration Services Near Me

The lifespan of dental crowns depends on which material you choose, where your crown is placed, how well you maintain your oral health, and your daily habits. With proper care, dental crowns can survive between 20 years and beyond what would normally be their 5- to 15-year lifespan. Regular brushing and flossing, avoiding harmful habits, and protecting against excessive forces like grinding will lead to longer-lasting dental crowns. Regular visits to the dentist help discover dental issues at their earliest stages. Protect your smile with expert care at Northridge Advanced Dentistry. Call 818-701-3010 today to schedule an appointment.