Prolong the Life of Your Dental Crowns: Causes of Dental Crown Damage By Dr. David Wyse on May 18, 2014

With proper care, dental crowns can last well over ten years. You can help prolong the life of dental crowns by avoiding the causes of damage and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups. Our Bloomington-based cosmetic dentists offer this overview of the causes of dental crown damage to help you keep your smile looking and functioning at its best.

Causes of Dental Crown Damage

Dental crowns can restore the appearance and structure of damaged teeth, preventing further damage to vulnerable teeth and saving them from extraction. Though porcelain dental crowns are extremely durable, they may require replacing. The causes of dental crown damage include:

Chewing on hard items: Frequently chewing on hard items, like pen caps, ice, and fingernails, can chip or fracture dental crowns.
Eating sticky foods: Regularly eating sticky foods, like taffy or gummy candies, can dislodge a dental crown, requiring additional dental treatment.
Teeth grinding: Chronic teeth grinding puts a lot of pressure on the teeth and dental crowns. Not only is this excessive pressure damaging to the natural teeth, it can wear down dental crowns or even cause them to break.
Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can result in tooth decay of any exposed areas of a tooth covered by a dental crown. Though the crown itself won't be damaged by tooth decay, replacement will be necessary in order to treat the underlying tooth decay.
Facial injury: Dental crowns can be damaged from facial injury that may result from a car accident or contact sport.

When Do Dental Crowns Require Replacing?

If well cared for, dental crowns should last for well over a decade. However, if you experience dental crown damage, your crown should be replaced as soon as possible. Some reasons dental crowns may need replacement includes:

Broken, damaged crown
Tooth decay along the edge of the crown
Worn down dental crown
Dental crown color no longer matches the surrounding teeth

Tips to Prolong the Life of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are durable restorations that can last many years with the right care and attention. Here are some tips to help you prolong the life of your dental crowns.

Practice proper oral hygiene: Teeth covered with dental crowns are still vulnerable to tooth decay along the gum line where the natural tooth is generally exposed. Practicing proper oral hygiene can help keep your teeth healthy and cavity free, prolonging the life of your dental crown. Proper oral hygiene includes brushing for at least two minutes at a time, two times a day, along with flossing at least once a day.
Don't chew on hard objects: Chewing on hard objects can break dental crowns and should be avoided to keep your crown intact.
Avoid overly sticky foods: Extremely sticky, chewy candies should be avoided, as they can loosen dental crowns and pull them out of place.
See your dentist regularly: Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups can help keep your mouth healthy and your crowns at their best, as damage can be caught at the earliest signs.