How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns are custom-made appliances that restore broken and decayed teeth and those that have undergone root canals. Crowns are long-lasting restorations. They usually last about 8-10 years, perhaps longer if you practice excellent oral hygiene.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Save Teeth From Extraction

When a tooth incurs too much damage for a filling, you may fear it needs extraction. A crown can secure and keep a damaged tooth healthy for many years.

Preserve Natural Root System

A crown enables the tooth's natural roots to stay in place. The jawbone could deteriorate without chewing stimulation and cause changes in your face shape.

Natural Look and Feel

Porcelain and porcelain over metal crowns blend into your smile.

Excellent Chewing Ability

Crowns enable you to chew most foods, though avoiding sticky foods like taffy and caramel may be best. If the crown falls out, save it and bring it to our office to be cemented.

Cosmetic and Restorative Applications

Crowns are not only therapeutic, but they also have cosmetic benefits. Some patients choose to have discolored or misshapen teeth crowned rather than opting for other cosmetic procedures.

How Dental Crowns Work

A dental crown works like a cap that covers a prepared natural tooth. The dentist creates a custom crown to match your existing teeth for a seamless appearance.

Following is a breakdown of the dental crown process and what each step entails:

Step 1: Impressions

The first step is to take digital or physical impressions of the existing tooth and surrounding area. Your dentist records neighboring teeth' precise shape, size, and location to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Preparing the Natural Tooth

Your dentist will provide a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. They will remove the decayed material and smooth any broken edges, shaping the tooth to fit a new crown best.

Step 3: Impressions

The dentist may need to take another set of digital or physical impressions to create a perfect fit for the inside of the crown.

Step 4: Temporary Crown

Your dentist will provide a comfortable temporary crown to stand in while the lab creates your permanent restoration.

Step 5: Crown Creation

At Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental, our on-site dental lab shortens your wait time for a permanent crown.

Step 6: Crown Placement

Your dentist will check that your new crown fits perfectly. They will adjust the crown until you have a comfortable bite. They will then cement the crown into place.

Crown Materials

Options for crown materials include:

• Gold alloys: Gold is the most expensive and durable option. Some patients opt to have gold crowns placed on their back teeth. They are useful for patients who grind their teeth.
• Base metal alloys: Metal is another useful crown option. Metal crowns are almost as durable as gold and come at an affordable price.
• Porcelain: If you want a natural look, porcelain may be your best choice. Porcelain crowns have a lustrous quality that matches natural tooth enamel. Porcelain crowns may not be as tough as other material options, so dentists generally recommend them for front teeth.
• Porcelain over metal: This material combination provides the best of both worlds with tough metal and attractive porcelain. Since these crowns have a thin metal edge that could be visible, many patients place them further back into the mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns

Does getting a crown hurt?

Crown preparation may seem intimidating, but it feels very much like getting a filling. Your dentist will provide a local anesthetic to keep you from experiencing discomfort during crown preparation. You may feel slight discomfort after returning home, but it should be short-lived.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

While getting a simple filling after the procedure is possible, teeth that have undergone root canals last considerably longer when protected by a crown. These teeth may last up to 20 years with a filling and crown.

Call Davis Gribble Hollowwa Dental

Dental crowns are a valuable investment in your oral health. If you have a problem with your tooth, you may be able to save it with a crown. You may be able to avoid a costly extraction and a restoration like a bridge or implant. Please call our Albuquerque, NM, office at 505-898-1976 to schedule a consultation.