Ask the Experts
Dental Crowns
Why would I need a dental crown?
You may need a dental crown for several reasons, including:
- Protecting a weak tooth (possibly from decay) from breaking or to keep the weak tooth together if parts of it are cracked.
- Restoring a broken tooth or a severely worn down tooth.
- Covering and supporting a tooth with a large filling and not much tooth remaining.
- Holding a dental bridge in place.
- Covering misshapen or severely discoloured teeth.
- Covering a dental implant.
- Covering a tooth that’s been treated with a root canal.
How long do dental crowns last?
On average, dental crowns last between 5-15 years. The life space of a crown can depend on the amount of “wear and tear” the crown is exposed to, how well you follow oral hygiene practices and personal mouth-related habits. These mouth-related habits can include things like:
- Grinding or clenching your teeth.
- Chewing ice.
- Biting your fingernails.
- Using your teeth to open packaging.
Unfortunately, the teeth underneath the crown can still get damaged by bacteria, which causes cavities and tooth decay. That is why, even with a dental crown, it’s still vital to maintain proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist for cleaning and check ups.
A root canal (or what is actually root canal therapy) is not necessarily required in order to place a dental crown. A dental crown is often placed on a living tooth (a tooth that has not undergone root canal therapy). Crowns are often used on non-root-canal-treated teeth that are structurally compromised.
Use a soft toothbrush to thoroughly clean the teeth. You can also add a fluoride rinse and fluoride toothpaste or gel to your cleaning regimen. Gently floss the veneers and bridges, being careful to avoid breakage. Finish with a mouthwash rinse to remove the bacteria that lead to tooth decay.