Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing Mi
Do you have a tooth that’s sustained significant damage due to an injury or tooth decay? Are you scheduled for a root canal? Perhaps you’re completing a dental implant procedure? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, then you can expect to receive a crown from your dentist in Okemos. You may know that dentists use a crown to replace the entire exterior of a tooth, but you may not know how long a crown will last. Read on to learn more, courtesy of Okemos’ award-winning dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia.
What is the effective lifespan of a crown?
Depending on the materials used to make a crown, a crown can last anywhere between 10 years and 30 years with proper care. That last part, “proper care”, is the key. The life of your crown can be impacted, for good or bad, by your oral hygiene routine and what you eat and drink. Certain habits, such as teeth grinding (clinically known as bruxism) can further shorten the lifespan of a dental crown.
How your dentist estimates how long a crown lasts
While a crown can replace even a badly damaged exterior of a tooth, for a crown to work properly, there needs to be a certain quantity of remaining tooth structure present. When you receive a crown from Tenaglia Smiles, Dr. Tenaglia and her team will ensure the crown makes a secure, tight fit on the tooth. Any gaps can become areas where food particles can congregate, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Meanwhile, a poorly fitting crown might break, loosen or fall out entirely. Once a crown loosens, it might be able to be re-attached, but after that initial bond is broken, it’s just a matter of time before the restoration will need to be replaced.
2 factors to prolong the effectiveness of your crown
- Bad habits: As mentioned, teeth grinding can cause excessive wear on your teeth and any existing dental work such as fillings and crowns. You also should avoid biting down on pencils, ice cubes and other hard items. Never try to use your teeth as tools.
- Oral care: The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day, flossing daily and seeing your dentist every six months for a check-up. Failing to follow the advised regimen of care can shorten the lifespan of your crown.
Dental crowns in Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing in Michigan
At Tenaglia Smiles, we provide crowns made with dental porcelain. This is a beautiful, durable material that can be sculpted and color-matched to both the shape and shade of your other natural teeth. Our crowns are made either entirely of dental porcelain or consist of porcelain that covers a sturdy metal substructure.
Crowns represent just one of the ways that Dr. Christine Tenaglia and her team of oral health professionals can restore a tooth, and your smile, back to its former glory. To learn more about our crown procedures, call (517) 347-6733 or visit us online to schedule a consultation.