Dental crowns are a great investment in your smile, since they improve both the appearance and function of your teeth. If you have dental insurance, it usually covers at least part of the cost of a crown. No matter how much you pay, you’ll want your crown to last as long as possible. Fortunately, there are many ways to make dental crowns last!
You can:
- Choose the right crown
- Practice good home hygiene
- Don’t skip dental exams
- Be careful how you use your teeth
- Address a teeth grinding problem
You can typically expect a crown to last at least five to eight years. Numerous factors will affect your crown’s longevity, including where it’s located in your mouth, the material used for the crown, and your oral hygiene habits.
If you receive a quality crown and care for it properly, it can last for decades. At My Dentist in Millville, NJ, we are so confident about the quality of our crowns that we offer a guarantee of at least five years. If your restoration is damaged, simply come in and we’ll fix it for free! Our proprietary Klencher crowns are so durable, they come with a lifetime guarantee against breakage.
No matter which kind of crown you choose, it will last longer if you follow our tips. To schedule a free dental crown consultation with Dr. George Kourakin, call us today at 856-825-0618.
Choose the Right Restoration to Make Dental Crowns Last
It’s important to select a quality restoration from a dental practice that has extensive experience with crowns. At My Dentist, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of a five-year guarantee on crowns. We’ll repair damage for free during this period. For even more durability, you can choose one of our own Klencher crowns. They come with a lifetime guarantee against breakage! They’re a great choice for areas of your mouth that handle strong chewing force, such as your back teeth.
Practice Good Home Hygiene
Without proper oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, it’s possible for decay to develop in the natural tooth structure under your crown. This can cause you to prematurely lose your crown. If the decay develops into an infection, you may also lose what remains of your tooth. Advanced gum disease can also cause dental damage, including the loss of a tooth. When brushing and flossing, pay special attention to the area around your gumline.
To Make Dental Crowns Last, Visit Your Dentist for Regular Exams
To ensure dental crowns last a long time, you should see us every six months for a dental exam and professional cleaning. During your exam, Dr. Kourakin will look for signs of damage to crowns, such as chips, cracks or gaps between the tooth and crown. Such damage needs to be repaired ASAP since it creates a hospitable environment for disease-causing bacteria.
Don’t Use Teeth as Tools & Watch What You Eat
Never use your teeth for tasks such as opening containers or packages. This bad habit can damage crowns and natural teeth too. In addition, avoid crunching down on ice, popcorn, and hard candies. Even biting fingernails can damage teeth and restorations like crowns.
For a Longer Crown Life, Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Two other bad habits that can cause dental damage are teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Because many people experience these behaviors in their sleep, they may not even be aware of them. Waking up with a tender jaw is a sign that you may be clenching and/or grinding during the night.
During your exams, Dr. Kourakin will look for signs of excess wear on your teeth. If he finds any, he may recommend a custom-made mouthguard. A mouthguard will prevent these damaging behaviors and help your dental crowns last.
If you have any questions about crowns or other restorations or need to make an appointment at our Millville office, call us today at 856-825-0618.