Thinking of getting a dental crown but worried about their longevity? Or wondering how long they actually last? Do you already have a dental crown or are undergoing the process and want to know what care to take? What are the steps to be taken so that you do not have any issues with the crown again? Yes your dentist keeps on saying that maintenance is the key but what actually is this maintenance? Well, read along.
Dental crowns are made of various materials like metal, ceramic, porcelain, zirconia and such. They are fabricated in such a way that they last for a long time.
The main reasons why we advise dental crowns is –
- Dental Crowns after a tooth decay or root canal
- Dental Crowns or dental bridges to fill the space of a lost tooth
Now what is this crown procedure? The natural tooth on to which this dental crown is to be placed, is grinded and will be prepared in such a way that the ‘margin’ of the prepared tooth and that of the dental crown will stay locked in tact.
An impression is taken to record the size of the tooth. The lab will then proceed to fabricate the crown. The dental crowns are placed onto the tooth with the help of a dental luting adhesive cement. This special cement bids with the tooth and the crown structure and holds it in place.
The longevity of the dental crowns and crown maintenance go hand in hand. You will have to follow a few easy post care instructions. There are a few oral health factors that affect the crown life inside the oral cavity.
- Your age matters. As you age, there are a lot of changes seen in the oral cavity and the face. Your jaw and the bony ridge on which teeth and crowns are placed flattens or decreases in size, resulting in gaps between the placed crown and the bone
- If you have any gum disorders like heavy plaque or bleeding gums. The plaque may accumulate along the crown and its adjacent tooth leading to a dislodgement of the crown.
- Oral hygiene comes next. Because if there is any food lodgement in the border of the placed crown or below it, the chances of the crown dislodgement increases. This is why we advise
- Regular checkups for dental crowns. So that the dentist can see the fit of the crown and gauge out any changes in the surrounding gum and bone. And then advise you with the necessary clinical steps.
What can you as a patient do at home to increase their longevity? Here are some tips
- The durability of dental crowns depends on what material you chose. The tooth crown types can be metal crown with ceramic coating or a complete ceramic and zirconia crown.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene with the right brushing techniques to prevent debris and calculus formation
- If you have any underlying conditions like diabetes, bone disorders or are prone to oral changes due to age, be sure to visit your dentist regularly to keep a check on these changes.
Based on the maintenance and the crown type, they can last anywhere up to 10 – 15 years. Some patients even have crowns that lasted them for more than a few decades of their lives.
Contact your dentist now for a complete clinical guide on dental crowns. Get your regular checkups to monitor the crown’s health and rest assured.
