Longevity Of Dental Crowns Article

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Longevity of Dental Crowns

If you have an infected or seriously cracked tooth, a dental crown can be used to restore the tooth. Not only will this crown protect the nerve inside the tooth, it will give the tooth strength and it will improve the appearance of your tooth.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Dental crowns are not, however, lifetime restorations. They have a finite lifespan, and their longevity can be limited by a number of factors.

Dental veneers may fail for structural reasons, cosmetic reasons, or because the tooth below it fails.

Structural Failure of Dental Crowns

One way that dental crowns may fail is they may crack, break, or wear down. In general, this is not a major concern because 95% of crowns survive eleven years or more.

The longevity of your crown can be protected if your dentist understands neuromuscular dentistry principles and can study the bite forces in your mouth to ensure that the crown is not subject to adverse pressure. Your dentist may recommend neuromuscular treatment to put your bite in balance and prevent wear or damage to your crown similar to what happened to your natural tooth. Your dentist may also recommend the use of a crown made of a specialized material such as zirconia, which has increased strength and durability.

Aesthetic Failure of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns begin their life as highly aesthetic restorations. They blend in with your natural teeth so that your smile appears flawless. However, over time a number of factors can make it so your dental crown no longer blends in with the rest of your smile. One common problem is edge visibility, which is especially common for porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns. Initially, the dark metal edge of a PFM crown is concealed by your gums. But with age and periodontal disease, your gums can recede, causing the dark edge of the crown to become visible.

Another problem that can make your crowns visible is staining. Since your dental crown is resistant to staining but your teeth are not, your crown can become more visible over time as your other teeth grow dark. To prevent this, your dentist may recommend tooth whitening before your crown is made. The crown can then be matched to your tooth's whitened shade. When your teeth begin to stain, whitening can be used to restore the match between your natural teeth and the crown.

Tooth Failure under a Dental Crown

Another reason why you may need to replace a dental crown is if you suffer damage to the tooth below the crown. One common way this occurs is when gum recision leads to exposure of the tooth at the edge of the crown. This can be attacked by bacteria, leading to cavities that creep under the surface of the crown.

In some cases, this compromise of the tooth under the crown can lead to infection of the tooth root, which means you will need not only to replace the crown, but have a root canal as well.

If you want to learn more about how to ensure the longevity of your dental crowns, please visit the website of San Diego cosmetic dentist Mary A. Walsh-Cole.

About Author

San Diego Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole, provides cosmetic dentistry procedures to patients in San Diego, Encinitas and Carlsbad.

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Longevity of Dental Crowns