Tips for Keeping Your Dental Crowns in Good Condition and Helping Them Last Longer

We provide dental crowns for patients that are looking to improve the appearance of their teeth and those that need to restore damaged ones. A crown is a versatile option for doing both and provides the protection and strength that a damaged tooth needs in order to have pressure applied to it without experiencing discomfort. Here are some of the common reasons our patients wear crowns:

• Restore a tooth that has been cracked
• Protect a tooth after a root canal procedure
• Cover dark stains
• Restore a chipped tooth
• Close gaps in teeth
• And more!

Dental crowns are made in several different materials, and it is important to select the one that will meet your needs and provide the durability that you are looking for.  How long they will last, also depends on the material that is used. For example, all-porcelain crowns look natural and are an excellent solution for front teeth since they will protect the tooth while looking as good as a dental veneer.  These should last for five years or more.  Porcelain-on-metal crowns are more durable and will last for around ten years with the metal portion lasting longer.  The challenge is that if you don’t take good care of them, the porcelain can chip off, leaving the metal exposed.  All-metal crowns are the most durable and last for fifteen years or more.  The challenge with these is that they stand out and don’t look natural, so most people wear them on back teeth that are hidden from view. In order to make sure that your crowns last a long time, you need to take the steps necessary to protect them.  We recommend that you start by practicing good oral hygiene.  You should brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day and floss to remove food from in between your teeth.  This will help to prevent cavities and keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you get gum disease or experience tooth decay, it will jeopardize all of your teeth as the infection can spread.  Even though the crown is in place to protect the tooth, it cannot prevent the root system from being attacked so the infection must be contained and eliminated. You should also avoid eating things like ice or jawbreakers which can chip your crown or even move it out of place.  You can eat nuts and regular foods just stay away from things that are clearly dangerous for your teeth.  If it isn’t good for your natural tooth, it won’t be good for your crown. Additional things can damage your crown.  For example, playing sports is a known hazard, so we recommend wearing a mouth guard at practice or while on the field.  Grinding your teeth is also dangerous and can lead to your teeth, and crowns becoming chipped and damaged.  Wearing a night guard will prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching and stop the grinding. By following these simple steps, you can keep your dental crowns in good condition for years to come.

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