Based on the average scientific proof, a dental crown can last from 5 to 15 years, taking into consideration the durability of the crown, the vocal or mouth behaviors of the owner, and how frequently they take care of their teeth and gums through certain oral hygiene habits and practices. 

There are also temporary dental crowns – as the name suggests – where the crown/cap can either be removed or will naturally fall off after a short period of time. Permanent dental caps may or may not take quite some time to be fully made and ready to be used. Though not that common, temporary ones are used during this waiting period.

More importantly, the material of the crown also contributes significantly to its lifespan and durability. For example, dental crowns made out of metal (copper, bronze, gold, platinum, silver, etc.) have a higher chance of lasting for more than 10 years, whereas crowns made from resin, ceramic, and porcelain last for a maximum of 3 to 5 years.

Now that that has been said, let us go into more detail and see what exactly dental crowns are and their other necessary information, shall we?

What are dental crowns?

As time passes, one’s tooth can very well be damaged and/or go out of shape for various reasons such as age, calcium deficiency, any injury to the mouth, etc. A dental crown is a sort of like cap that is shaped like a tooth and is used to bring back the damaged tooth to its original shape by placing it on top of the said damaged tooth.

Dental caps are commonly used to restore a damaged or deformed tooth’s former appearance, shape, strength, health, and size. Moreover, during this restoration process, this cap also serves as a shield, protecting the tooth from further damage that might ruin the present texture of the tooth, making sure that the tooth grows into its original state and health.

Why and when does one need a dental crown?

One may require dental crowns for the following reasons : 

• Having a broken tooth.
• Having a tooth that is decayed due to any oral disease. 
• Any tooth that is partly or wholly damaged & requires protection as it is pretty sensitive.
• Covering a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure.
• Used as protection to cover any implant or bridge.

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, a cap can also be used for other reasons apart from dental purposes, such as beauty and fashion, where most Hollywood celebrities and rappers can be seen sporting gold, diamond, silver, and platinum-colored dental caps and platings.

What are the types of crowns (material basis) available?

As previously mentioned, there are many kinds of dental crowns in dentistry that can be used, such as metal, ceramic, resin, etc. Let’s take a look at these materials and more:

Metal – Caps made out of metals such as gold, silver, aluminum, platinum, copper, bronze, nickel, chromium, etc., last longer than other materials as they have a higher capacity to tolerate the force of biting, chewing, and can withstand cold and hot food. They very rarely break, chip, fall off or rot. Likewise, they are priced accordingly.

Stainless Steel – This material is highly used in making permanent dental caps as they are more or less quite affordable. It is also frequently used for children as the material helps fall off naturally once their tooth starts to outgrow the dental cap.

Porcelain or Ceramic – This material is used for people allergic to metal and steel. This also provides a natural, creamy white color of teeth and can be used on the front, middle and back teeth in the mouth.

Resin – Crowns made out of resin are the cheapest and also deteriorate with time than other metals. They also have higher chances of falling off, so they are mostly used as quick, temporary caps.

With the information given above, one can know which dental crown to use as directed by the dentist and based on the requirements of their tooth.