Have you ever wondered how your favorite celebrities have perfect smiles? Chances are, they have dental crowns in Candler, NC. A crown is a dental cap placed over the existing tooth, encasing it entirely. This popular restorative dental treatment is used to fix various dental problems, such as cracked, weakened, decayed, damaged, misshapen, or discolored teeth.
On average, dental crowns can last anywhere from five to 15 years, depending on the material used and how well they’re cared for. However, it’s worth noting that they can last even longer with proper care and maintenance. For this reason, it’s crucial to understand the factors that impact their lifespan and how to care for them properly.
Factors Affecting a Dental Crown’s Lifespan
Crown Material
The material used for the dental crown can significantly impact its durability. For instance, porcelain crowns are typically more fragile than metal or zirconia crowns. As a result, they’re more susceptible to chipping and cracking than metal or zirconia.
Oral Hygiene
In addition to the crown’s material, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial for extending the dental crowns’ lifespan. Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily eliminates plaque and bacteria buildup from the crown’s surface and surrounding teeth and gums.
Without regular brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar will continue accumulating in these areas, causing tooth decay or gum disease, weakening the tooth structure, and causing the crown to fail.
Bite Force
When the dentist installs the crown, they check the bite to ensure proper alignment. They’ll also check to see if there’s not too much pressure on the crown or surrounding teeth. Although a dental crown is designed to withstand normal biting and chewing forces, excessive force or pressure can cause it to fail prematurely.
Moreover, changes in the bite or habits, such as clenching or grinding the teeth, can put additional stress on the crown over time and cause it to wear down or crack.
Subjecting a crown to excessive bite force over an extended period can also cause damage to the underlying tooth structure or the cement that holds the crown in place. If left untreated, this can lead to decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.
Besides instructing patients to maintain excellent oral hygiene to keep the crown’s underlying tooth and surrounding teeth healthy, dentists may recommend using a mouthguard to minimize the impact of the bite force on the dental crown’s lifespan.
Extending the crown’s lifespan will also require patients to stay away from chewing on hard or sticky foods that may dislodge the crown or cause considerable damage.
The Crown’s Location
The back teeth are often used for chewing and grinding food. Since crowns in the back of the mouth, such as premolars and molars, are subject to greater biting forces, they may not last as long as those in the front of the mouth. Additionally, the back teeth are prone to plaque buildup and decay around the crowns because these areas are more difficult to clean.
Patient’s Overall Health
Certain health conditions, including diabetes or autoimmune disorders, can impact gum health and the surrounding tissues. Consequently, these health conditions increase the risk of crown failure. To keep the dental crowns in tip-top shape, patients must take extra precautions to maintain good oral hygiene and schedule bi-annual dental check-ups.
Do You Need Dental Crowns in Candler, NC?
At Cataloochee Dental Group, we provide high-quality dental care in a clean, comfortable, and professional environment. Contact us today to make an appointment.