Dental crowns are great for many patients. If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth, or if you have decay that’s too excessive for a filling, you might need a crown. Generally speaking, crowns last a very long time. In fact, they might even last a lifetime if they’re taken care of and don’t experience damage. With that said, not all crowns can last forever. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons crowns might expire a bit early.
Why Are Crowns So Strong?
Thanks to today’s technologies, crowns are capable of withstanding the challenges of chewing for 50 years or longer. The ceramic or porcelain materials from which they’re made are extremely strong, and while they look like natural teeth, they’re not susceptible to bacteria or decay like the teeth you were born with.
Do Crowns Expire?
The short answer is no. As long as you take care of your teeth, brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist at least twice a year, your crown will probably perform its job quite nicely. Things can happen, however, which could require the intervention of your dentist.
Uncommonly, crowns can break. This usually happens if the crown experiences severe trauma, such as a car accident or a fall that leads to a person’s face encountering a hard surface. Alternatively, if the tooth beneath the crown isn’t strong enough to hold the cap, your dentist may need to take more extreme measures to protect your teeth and gums. Sometimes, this can mean patients need dental implants to replace existing root and tooth structures.
Do You Need to Have Your Crown Replaced?
Unless you’re crown has re-decay on the margin or you are experiencing pain or discomfort, you probably don’t need to have your crown replaced. These oral devices are built to last for a very long time. If, however, you are experiencing sudden sensitivity or pain, it’s always best to see your dentist as soon as possible. He’ll evaluate your crown, examine the surrounding teeth and gums, and decide if there’s an issue with the cap you have in place. It’s always possible that pain and discomfort could be coming from a nearby tooth, so it’s best to have the situation checked out by a professional.
Are you worried about an existing crown? Perhaps you think you might need to have a crown put into place? In either event, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with Dr. Retter and our team at Retter Dental Care.
