You only have one set of adult teeth to last you a lifetime. That’s why it is important to take the best possible care of them. This starts with brushing twice a day, flossing once, using a mouthwash regularly, and visiting a reputable dentist, such as this dentist St Kilda east.
However, even with the best possible care, it is still possible that you will need fillings or will damage your tooth and may need a crown.
The crown is a specially designed cap for a bad tooth. Your dentist cleans and repairs the tooth first before fitting the cap over the top. It protects your tooth and keeps your smile looking good, which is great for your confidence. Some even prefer to have teeth straightening in conjunction with this. If you’re interested in that, you may consider getting invisalign in williamsburg so the dentist can tell you what would be your viable options.
Of course, once you have a crown fitted you are likely to wonder how long it will last.
Average Timespan
The short answer is it is impossible to say. There are too many variables such as what sorts of food you eat or how well you look after the tooth. But, understanding what affects the lifespan of a crown will help you estimate how long it should last you. At that stage, the crown will need to be redone
However, the average lifespan is said to be between 10-30 years! It depends on these factors:
- Placement
The teeth nearer the back of your mouth are known as molars and these do most of the grinding when you eat food. In contrast, the teeth at the front, your canines are better at tearing things apart. Molars are under a lot of stress but they tend to last longer. This is probably because they have a larger surface area to distribute the stress across.
- Material
Your crown is most likely to be made of either metal, porcelain fused to metal or ceramic. The ceramic option will look closest to your original teeth but metal is undoubtedly the strongest option, followed by porcelain fused to metal.
In short, a metal tooth will last much longer.
- Oral Hygiene
How regular and good you are at brushing your teeth does make a difference. If you regularly skip brushes then there will be a build-up of plaque and an increased chance of tooth issues. The same is true of one with a crown. If you don’t look after it the bacteria will attack where it joins your original tooth. This can cause cavities and damage the crown, meaning you’ll have to replace it.
- Eating Habits
It is also worth noting that enamel and crowns can be damaged if you regularly chew on hard things, such as ice cubes. The same is true if you chew a lollipop or clench your teeth a lot. All these cations are likely to prematurely wear your crown, shortening its lifespan.
Final Thoughts
There is no definitive method of defining the time a crown will last. However, taking care of your crown and your other teeth will give you the best chance of it lasting ten, twenty, or perhaps even thirty years!
