If you’ve ever had to deal with a broken tooth or one that was damaged due to reasons like decay, then you’ll appreciate dental crowns. Not only do you feel insecure about damaged teeth, but it can make eating a challenge. Dental crowns help with this issue, ensuring that your tooth doesn’t lose its functionality. Getting dental crowns should be a priority whenever you experience tooth damage. Of course, as a non-dental professional, you may not be qualified to make that assessment. You can always visit a dental facility for this. For instance, you can find dental crowns in Lafayette if you visit a reputable facility.
It’s natural to have questions about the longevity of dental crowns. After all, if you’re going to have one fitted onto your tooth, then you need to know what to expect in terms of durability, maintenance, and other such issues.
Purpose of a Dental Crown
Say you have a tooth that has undergone significant amounts of bacterial decay. You’ve visited your dentist, and a root canal procedure has been performed. This procedure usually involves, among other things, the removal of the pulp cavity and any surrounding parts that may be damaged. Obviously, such a tooth’s structural integrity will be seriously compromised. This fragility will impact how you chew food using that tooth. A dental crown provides the necessary structural support for such a tooth. The gaping hole after a root canal procedure will have to be filled up. But until that time, a dental crown provides some temporary but much-needed structural support.
Cracked teeth also benefit from dental crowns, helping to prevent further damage to them. Generally, dental crowns are useful for strengthening teeth that would otherwise experience further damage.
Dental Crown Durability
Dental technology has come a long way. These days, dental crowns are manufactured using sturdier materials and more advanced technology, meaning they’re more durable than those of past decades.
However, this durability does not mean they’ll last a lifetime.
On average, you can expect your dental crown to last about 10 years. In some cases, they can stay in place for up to 15 years given the right conditions.
The material from which your dental crown is manufactured will greatly determine its longevity.
The following are some of the common materials used for the manufacture of dental crowns. They include:
i)Zirconia
ii) Composite resin
iii) Metal
iv) Ceramic
v) Porcelain
Currently, Emax dental crowns are the most durable. These are made from disilicate ceramic, giving them almost lifelong durability while offering a translucent color. This material, while extremely durable, is also very expensive.
Gold dental crowns are a favorite among many people, given their sturdiness. It is reliable because it has no nasty damage to surrounding teeth, a common problem with dental crowns made from other metals like silver or materials like porcelain.
While Emax is the choice for dental crowns of the front teeth, zirconia dental crowns are preferred by many dentists for premolars and molars. Their tensile strength means you can chew all the foods you want, to be given that molars and pre-molars experience the greatest pressures.
Dental crowns made of these materials can last more than a decade if well cared for.
Cost is usually an overriding factor for most people. As such, you can strike a balance between cost and durability. For example, instead of going for Emax dental crowns, you can opt for zirconia or gold ones which are less expensive but offer almost similar longevity.
When to Go for a Dental Crown Replacement
As a general rule, you should always ask about the state of your dental crown if you’ve had it in place for more than five years. This is something that regular dental visits can help to point out. Otherwise, some signs could signal that something is wrong with your dental crown. These include;
i)Receding gums around the crowned tooth
ii) Discoloration or chipping of the crown
iii) An uneven bite
iv) Pain in or around the crowned tooth
v) A seemingly unstable crown
Any of the above situations and issues could mean that it’s time to have your dental crown replaced. Your dentist will determine the right course of action.
At the end of the day, you want dental crowns that not only provide longevity but are also comfortable and affordable. A metal dental crown with an average lifespan of 20 years doesn’t do you much good if it feels very uncomfortable and damages surrounding teeth.