4 Ways of Caring for a Dental Crown to Make It Last

dental crown Chicago, IL

Although dental crowns are one of the sturdiest and most durable devices in modern dentistry, they are not indestructible. Just like natural teeth, crowns can break if not treated properly.

Crowns are made from a variety of strong materials. There are generally four different types of dental crown: Ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, base metal alloy and gold alloy crowns. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each has separate rules for optimal care.

Most crowns have a lifespan of about 15 years. This is not to say that a dental crown must be replaced every 15 years, however. Some crowns, when properly maintained, can last upwards of 25 to 30 years. The lifespan of your crown depends on a variety of factors, including oral hygiene habits, daily wear and even habits like biting your nails.

4 Tips to get the most out of your dental crown

To extend the lifespan of your crown, you will need to avoid certain habits and employ excellent oral health care. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your dental crown investment:

1. Kick these habits

Biting fingernails might seem like an innocuous activity, but nails are harder than you might think — and far more damaging. In fact, the act of constantly biting nails or any hard object can start to wear down the enamel of regular teeth, let alone dental crowns. Though porcelain is a strong material, it is no match for repeated action of chewing on hard objects.

Chewing on ice is another culprit that can threaten the longevity of your dental crown. Not only is ice hard enough to chip away at the surface of your crown, but it is also cold. This mixture of cold and hardness is the perfect storm for a fracture. Avoid hard candy and biting down on hard objects as much as possible to protect your dental crown and your natural teeth.

2. Avoid clenching teeth

Clenching and grinding teeth is a medical condition known as bruxism. Usually a result of stress or a blocked airway during sleep, bruxism can wreak havoc on your dental crown. Natural everyday wear, such as that caused by eating, is amplified exponentially when grinding or clenching teeth. This type of trauma is enough to cause any crown to chip or crack.

3. Brush and floss

Having great oral hygiene starts with brushing and flossing. You should treat your crown as if it were a natural tooth, being careful to protect it from bacteria. Brush the crown to stave off bacteria, which can attack the gumline and cause a domino effect of bad oral health.

Flossing is crucial for maintaining gum health, and the crown depends heavily on healthy gum tissue to do its job correctly. When gum tissue and surrounding teeth are compromised due to decay or disease, the crown is not able to function as well.

4. Never skip a dental cleaning

Finally, possibly the most important step to keeping your dental crown functional for a long time is getting a dental cleaning and examination from your dentist every six months. A dental cleaning will ensure the care of natural teeth while allowing the dentist to examine the crown. This can also help your dentist to determine any issues with the crown, and identify which areas to improve in order to keep your dental crown lasting.

The bottom line

Dental crowns can last quite a long time if properly cared for, so make sure to follow the above advice to prolong the value of your investment.

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