Sciota, Pennsylvania
Many people who need dental work often weigh the expense versus the return, especially when opting for a dental crown to protect a damaged tooth from further damage or tooth loss. Whether it’s due to an injury, tooth decay, or part of a larger dental procedure like a root canal or dental implant, understanding the lifespan of your dental crown, and how to protect it, is essential. Our cosmetic dentists near Sciota at Quiet Valley Dental composed an informative guide to explore everything you need to know about dental crowns. So today on the blog, find out how to care for your crowns, and discover ways to keep your crowns in pristine condition for years to come.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns, also known as caps, are custom-made porcelain dental restorations that cover the entire tooth down to the gum line. Crowns are made to look realistic and have tooth markings like lines and crevices on the chewing surface. Once in place, you won’t be able to tell the difference between a crowned tooth and one that does not have a crown.
There are various materials and different types of porcelain used to fabricate crowns, although Quiet Valley Dental offers all-porcelain crowns that are aesthetically pleasing and highly durable for normal chewing and eating.
How long should crowns last?
Crowns are highly durable and designed to last for years. However, they aren’t indestructible. Our expert cosmetic dentists recommend taking good care of your oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. While crowns cannot develop cavities, harmful oral bacteria could infect the surrounding gum tissue or decay along the crown’s edge or margin.
Good oral hygiene
With good oral hygiene and routine dental visits at least twice a year, your crown should last for at least 10 years, although it is not unusual for crowns to last 20-30 years! But don’t be surprised if old crowns must be replaced, pop off, or fracture after many years. They are durable but not resistant to failure at some point down the road, although you can get the most out of your crown by keeping it clean.
Good fit
Crowns that are made by expert dentists will last longer than poorly designed crowns that don’t fit well. It’s also important to ensure that your crown doesn’t hit too high when you bite, or you could damage the crown and the underlying tooth. Therefore, it’s essential to choose an experienced dentist if you’re considering dental crowns.
Practice good habits
As mentioned, crowns can withstand usual biting and chewing, but there are some things you should avoid to help keep your crown in good shape. We highly recommend that you avoid chewing ice. Many people have an ice-chewing habit, and quite frankly, it’s not healthy for natural teeth, dental crowns, or any type of dental restoration. Additionally, avoid chewing hard or sticky candies, and exercise caution when chewing hard food like nuts and popcorn by chewing slower and being mindful of your chewing pressure.
Cosmetic Dentists in Sciota and East Stroudsburg, PA
Dental crowns are one of the most popular restorative treatments in dentistry. Whether you have an old silver filling that fell out or a cracked tooth, crowns can help save your tooth from needing an extraction. If you’d like to learn more about dental crowns or find out if it is the right fit for you, contact Quiet Valley Dental by calling (570) 992-7040.
