What is the Lifespan
of a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns refer to tooth-shaped “caps” placed over teeth to restore their shape, size, and strength, and enhance their appearance. When cemented in place, crowns fully encase the whole portion of a tooth that is above the gum line.

Dental crowns can be extremely useful dental treatments, but they do come with some cost and time in the dentist’s chair. This is why one of the questions we often hear at EK Dental Surgery is, “How long can I expect my dental crown to last?”

The answer is that there is no single answer – A dentist simply can’t answer that question completely. However there is a range of lifespans for dental crowns that can be affected by the dentist you choose and the care you give to your crown after it is put in place.

Here at EK Dental Surgery, we offer you the following information and advice if you or will be getting crowns, or having existing crowns that need to be replaced.

Factors that Determine Dental Crown Longevity

• Where the crown will be placed (front or rear)
• Condition of the original tooth under the crown
• Oral hygiene and post-placement care of the crowned tooth
• Damaging habits (chewing ice, fingernails, removing bottle caps, grinding or clenching
• Construction materials (gold, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, etc.)
• Proper manufacture and installation of the crown
• Full or partial crown
• Periodontal health (gum disease), including accidental damage

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider. Many insurance companies will pay for a crown to be replaced if failure occurs after 5 to 8 years, which gives patients protection against unexpected failure. Many dentists estimate that a crown should last from 5 to 15 years.

The Science of Crown Longevity

• When dental crowns are the appropriate solution for the dental problem,
• When crowns are well built out of appropriate materials,
• When installed properly by a dedicated, expert professional, and
• When proper patient home care is consistently practiced

Dental crowns can last for decades.

One study followed 2,340 crown installations over 25 years. It showed that at 10 years, the success rate was 97% (2270 crowns lasted over a decade). Even more astonishing, at 25 years, the success rate was 85%. This means that out of 2,340 crowns 1,989 lasted over 25 years (Walton, 2013).

There is, however, that 3% at 10 years, and 15% at 25 years that did fail for one reason or another. This small failure-rate shows that long-term success cannot be taken for granted; instead we need to take proper care of our teeth, especially those with dental crowns.

Principles for Dental Crown Treatment at EK Dental Surgery

Correct Diagnosis: Dental crowns are not always the only, or even the best, solution. EK Dental Surgery suggests crowns only when they are the best long-term solution for dental health success.

Correct Materials: Depending on the location of the tooth or teeth to be treated, the desired ‘look’, and other characteristics of the patient, EK Dental Surgery will recommend the appropriate material and construction of the crown.

Zirconia offers extreme durability, but other choices are sometimes more appropriate. The needs and desires of the patient are always thoroughly examined before deciding which materials and treatments are best.

Expert Installation: EK Dental Surgery has installed dental crowns for many years and we are experts at what contributes to a successful dental crown procedure. We make sure the tooth surface is dry and properly textured before placing the crown and use only the finest bonding agents available.

At EK Dental Surgery, our goal is to provide a virtually pain free experience, no matter what treatment we are performing.

Home Care: We will work with you to realize the highest level of oral hygiene; a level that protects your dental crown. Proper home care is a key element of a crown’s longevity!

Premium Dental Crowns at EK Dental Surgery

EK Dental Surgery in Glen Waverley offers a wide range of preventative and cosmetic dental procedures that will help you achieve the smile of your dreams, for the holidays and beyond! We provide strong, long-lasting and natural-looking dental crowns to give your smile the crowning glory it deserves.

Our Special Offers

At EK Dental Surgery, our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. To discover more, visit our special offers page today!

Book your appointment online or call our Glen Waverley dental practice on (03) 9887 8787 today!