Choosing the Strongest and Longest-Lasting Dental Crown
Posted on: 18 August 2021
Nothing lasts forever, as you may remind yourself when you're in the dentist's chair. Many types of restorative dentistry are intended to be a permanent solution to a dental problem. While the technique itself can be considered a permanent fix, the hardware utilised in the technique has a finite lifespan. When you need dental crowns in your mouth, how long will those crowns actually last? And what can you do to ensure that they're as long-lasting as possible? Read on to learn more about dental crowns.
Know What Influences on the Lifespan of a Dental Crown
There's no single answer when you're asking yourself how long dental crowns should last. At best, there's an approximate guide, and you can expect your new crowns to provide reliable service for 10 to 15 years. They may last longer, or they may experience problems earlier. Numerous factors determine the lifespan of a dental crown:
- How well you care for the crown (and your remaining natural teeth)
- Other unrelated dental issues (such as bruxism, also known as teeth grinding) may accelerate wear and tear on your crown.
- The type of material used to manufacture the crown.
Caring for your crown and ensuring that any secondary dental issues receive treatment are of the utmost importance when it comes to the longevity of your crown, but the chosen material also plays a significant role.
Choose a Material for Your Dental Crown
By choosing the most durable material from the start, you can be sure that your crown's lifespan will be as long as possible. What materials are available?
- Resin is essentially plastic and is the least expensive choice. Resin dental crowns typically offer the shortest lifespan, and even when functionality is unaffected, a resin crown may require replacement due to discolouration and the visible effects of wear and tear.
- Porcelain fused to metal crowns are made of a porcelain shell attached to a metal frame. Although they're incredibly robust, their aesthetics can be compromised over the years. Any chips or cracks, or indeed—any gum recession can expose the margin of the metal framework, which can be quite conspicuous.
- Porcelain crowns (without a metal framework) is one of the most common choices, and can be very durable (although not immune from cracks and chips).
- Metal crowns are typically made from a gold alloy but are not necessarily gold in colour. These crowns are incredibly strong and require minimal preparation work to fit. They don't effectively mimic the natural colour of teeth, meaning they're a better bet for a rear molar.
- Pressed ceramic crowns rival metal in strength, and involve numerous heat-treated ceramic layers coated in porcelain to replicate the natural translucence of teeth.
In terms of longevity, a metal crown will be your best choice for a rear (posterior) tooth, and a pressed ceramic crown will be appropriate for a front (anterior) tooth. A lot depends on your budget, but you might prefer to pay slightly more for a crown now, knowing that it may last for years longer than some of the other options.
Of course, you mustn't exclusively rely on the crown's materials to ensure an extended lifespan, because even the strongest crowns still require care.
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