Dental crowns (or “caps“) are basically tiny, custom-made helmets for your broken teeth. Instead of letting a damaged tooth retire early, these things restore its strength and appearance so you can keep chewing like a champion. If your mouth is currently a construction zone, crowns are a great solution to keep your smile intact without looking like a pirate.
Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of dental crowns:
- Protecting a damaged or weakened tooth: Crowns cover the whole visible part of a tooth, giving it a protective shield against further tooth decay, cracks, or any damage. This is especially helpful after dental procedures like a root canal or when you’ve got a very big, dental filling.
- Restoring shape, size, and function: They help fix the tooth, so you can go back to chewing and speaking comfortably again, without any discomfort.
- Improving aesthetics: Crowns can improve the look of your teeth. They can easily cover up issues like severe discoloration, chips, or misshapen teeth. They’re often designed to blend in perfectly with the color and shape of your natural teeth.
- Increasing durability and longevity: Crowns are crafted from durable materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys, which makes them strong enough to handle all that biting and chewing we do. With proper care, they can really last you for many years.
- Supporting other dental work: You’ll often find them helping to keep a dental bridge securely in place or serving as the final touch on a dental implant.
- Relieving discomfort: Crowns can be a good solution for anyone dealing with tooth sensitivity or pain, especially if you have worn enamel or cracks.
Dental crowns can give your teeth some extra care and protection. They not only help shield those vulnerable teeth but also restore your ability to chew comfortably.
How To Care For Dental Crowns?
When you get a dental crown, it serves as a protective cap for your tooth that helps make a valuable investment in your oral health. To make sure your crown stays in great shape and does its job well, it’s important to take good care of it. This means sticking to some simple hygiene habits and being careful to protect both your crown and the tooth underneath from any harm and decay.
Here are some tips to help you take care of your dental crown:
Daily Oral Hygiene
- Brush Gently: Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle, fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to focus on the gum line where the crown meets your natural tooth enamel—this spot is vulnerable to plaque and decay.
- Floss Daily: Flossing can keep those food particles and plaque away from your crown and the gaps between your teeth. When you’re flossing around the crown, just remember to slide the floss out from the side instead of pulling it straight up. This tip can help keep your crown secure over time. If you’re looking for an easier option, you might want to try using a floss threader or a water flosser.
- Use Mouthwash: Rinsing with an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash can keep your mouth healthy. It can help cut down on bacteria and give you that extra boost of protection against decay around the base of your crown.
Lifestyle and Diet Habits
- Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: Crowns are pretty tough, but it’s good to remember that they can get chipped, cracked, or even come loose if they’re put under too much pressure.
- Try to avoid chomping down on very hard stuff like ice, hard candies, or popcorn kernels.
- Try to avoid sticky or chewy treats like taffy, caramel, or chewing gum. They can loosen your crown.
- Break Harmful Habits: Try not to use your teeth as tools, like opening packages, holding onto things, or bite nails.
- Wear a Nightguard: If you tend to grind or clench your teeth at night (bruxism), it’s a good idea to consult to your dentist about getting a custom-fitted nightguard. It’s a simple way to protect your crown and keep your teeth safe from unnecessary wear or damage.
Professional Care
- Dental Check-ups: Make sure you see your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings, typically every six months. During your visit, your dentist will take a good look at your crown to check for any wear and tear, as well as inspect the edges for any signs of decay. They’ll also make sure that your bite feels just right. All of these steps are very important to keep your crown healthy and working well for the long run.
- Address Issues Immediately: If your crown feels loose, you’re dealing with ongoing sensitivity, or your bite seems off or high. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dentist as soon as you can.
Taking care of your crown is easier than you might think. Just stick to these tips: keep up with good hygiene, be careful with hard foods, and visit your dentist regularly. By doing this, you’re helping to maintain your dental health and keep your dental work strong and effective for years to come, so you can enjoy a healthy tooth and your confident smile.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
On average, you can expect a dental crown to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years. But with extra care, many crowns can actually stay strong and effective for 20 to 30 years or even longer.
The lifespan of your dental crown can really vary based on a few important things:
Dental Crown Material: The type of dental material used for the crown really affects how long it lasts:
- Metal crowns, whether they’re made from gold or an alloy, are really tough and can handle a lot of wear and tear. In fact, they often last the longest—sometimes even more than 20 years.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns and Zirconia Crowns are good options if you’re looking for something that combines strength and beauty. They usually last around 10 to 15 years or even longer.
- All-Ceramic/Porcelain Crowns are a good option if you’re looking for something that blends well with your natural teeth. Just keep in mind that they can be more susceptible to chipping. With proper care, you can expect them to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
Dental crowns can last a while, but how long they stick around really depends on how you take care of them. By keeping up with good oral hygiene, being gentle on them (like avoiding very hard foods or grinding your teeth), and making those routine dental visits, you can help your crown stay strong and protect your tooth for a long time.