Extending the Lifespan of Your Dental Crown

Dental crowns in San Marco are a frequently conducted treatment. In fact, according to the American College of Prosthodontists, approximately 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made each year for patients. These dental caps help cover, restore, and protect damaged teeth from decay and harmful oral substances to preserve natural smiles for decades to come. Once you get your restoration, it will be important to be diligent about taking care of it, so your tooth underneath remains healthy. Read on for tips on how to extend the lifespan of your crown.

Why Do You Need a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are versatile restorative treatments used to keep patients’ oral health on track as well as make their smile aesthetically pleasing. Here are some reasons that your dentist in San Marco may recommend a crown:

• To protect a weak tooth from decay.
• To restore the structure of a broken tooth and hold it together.
• To cover and support a large cavity filling.
• To hold a dental bridge in place and restore missing teeth.
• To mask misshapen and unsightly teeth.

How Long Should a Dental Crown Last?

Typically, dental crowns can be expected to protect and restore teeth for between five and 15 years, according to several clinical studies. Dentists hope for them to easily exceed the five-year mark, and they often can with the proper treatment and aftercare. However, they can fail due to damage, excessive wear and tear, and tooth decay. Many patients’ crowns fail due to preventable issues, so you’ll be pleased to know that extending the lifespan of your restoration mostly falls into your hands.

When you visit a dentist who uses high-quality materials and has ample restorative dentistry experience, this will increase the chances of your crown remaining healthy and well-fitted for decades. The best way to do this is to see if they use the latest dental technology in their practice and have experience and advanced training in crafting restorations.

How Should You Care For Your Crown?

Without the proper maintenance, you can develop issues such as extreme tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and broken crowns. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of what you eat, your brushing and flossing technique, and keeping up with preventive dental care. Otherwise, your dental investment won’t last you as long as it potentially could. Here’s what you can do to make sure you don’t damage or lose your crown sooner than it’s expected lifespan:

• Treat conditions such as bruxism by getting a customized nightguard.
• Stop bad oral habits that increase the amount of wear-and-tear on your teeth like nail-biting and chewing ice.
• Immediately visit your dentist if you notice any out-of-ordinary symptoms.
• Brush twice each day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
• Rinse your mouth with antibacterial wash every day.
• Floss daily.

With the proper aftercare, you’ll be able to get the most out of your dental investment and ensure that your mouth stays healthy for years to come. When you visit your dentist every six months for your checkups and cleanings, they’ll be able to inspect the restoration, make sure it doesn’t exhibit signs of wear-and-tear or weakness, and make any repairs or necessary adjustments.

About the Author

Dr. Sol Brotman is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and is one of few private practitioners who have passed the written examination for Board Certification in General Dentistry. He has had such an impact on the dental community that the University of Maryland named its clinical and research facility The Brotman Center for Orofacial Pain in 2000. He has also co-authored a research article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association on diagnosis and restorative dentistry. For questions or to schedule an appointment to be fitted with a custom-crafted crown, visit his website or call 904-396-4091.