How Long Do Zirconia Crowns Last?
When your tooth has been damaged with a chip, crack, or decay, the dentist can use a dental crown to restore the tooth to its original function and appearance. The dental crown can make it difficult to impossible to know there was ever a compromised tooth at all. When the dentist places the dental crown in your mouth, you will not be able to rely on the same crown for the rest of your life, but you can keep that crown in good health for as long as possible if you take certain measures. First, the type of material the dentist uses for your crown will affect how long it lasts. On average, most crowns last about ten years according to studies. If the crown is properly cared for and fit in your mouth accurately, it can last decades. Before the dentist can finalize your dental crown treatment plan, the dentist will need to consider where the restoration is going to be in your mouth, how damaged the original tooth is, and how much of the dental crown will be exposed and regularly visible when you smile and talk. The dentist can review the advantages of the different materials and the various strength and durability levels. Finally, you can talk to the dentist about your expectations of aesthetics of the final result.
Zirconia
Zirconia is a material in the titanium family with a crystalline structure. Some people may refer to zirconia crowns as ceramic crowns, but based on their properties, these crowns are nearly impervious to fracturing or cracking.
Zirconia is the strongest material used for dental crowns that is not metal, but some people struggle to experience a better fit than that of a metal crown.
More and more research is showing that monolithic zirconia is the strongest of all the dental crowns even less likely to crack or split under the strongest of bites.
Zirconia crowns are still newer so long-term research is not as widely available, but it does show that these crowns last ten to fifteen years. With regular dental exams and at home cleaning, they can last longer.
Porcelain fused to metal
You can expect porcelain fused to metal crowns to last anywhere from five to fifteen years.
Lithium disilicate
A crown of this type will last five to fifteen years or more if cared for well.
Gold
Recent studies indicate gold dental crowns last more than ten years for 95 percent of people with them. When they are properly cared for, gold dental crowns will last decades.
How will you know when a crown needs to be replaced?
If you are concerned about the condition of your dental crown, you will not be able to know without a clinical exam by a dental professional or a dental x-ray. There are some symptoms you may want to be mindful of if you are unsure about the health of your dental crown. If you are experiencing pain in the tooth with the crown or you think you feel the crown moving, then you should talk to the dentist about your crown. If you see the dental crown moving or you find that the dental crown no longer appears to be consistent with the rest of your teeth, you may need to talk to the dentist about replacing your existing dental crown.