How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Hi Chipped Crown!

This is a really difficult question to answer.  There are just too many factors involved.  Many of which depend on the patient that gets the crown, let alone the crown itself.

What I can tell you is that I have seen well done, and well maintained crowns last decades. 

Its interesting to note that many insurance companies will pay for replacement crowns after 8 years.  Since these companies use their vast accumulation of data to make reasonable denials of any payment as much as they can, we can probably garner some notion on how long they last on average by insurance companies willingness to pay for replacements after 8 years.

Best,

Dr. Alper

Crowns don't have a set amount of time that they should last because there are a variety of factors that can affect their longevity. Most importantly, how well you take care of them (avoiding bad habits and making sure to go to your routine dental cleanings), what type of material was used, the experience of the provider, etc. Insurance companies typically will only replace a crown that is 5-8 years old, but no sooner than that. Crowns really should last much longer than that if done correctly and cared for well. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. There many factors that determine how long crowns last. First, the question should be asked : why were the crowns "installed" in the first place. That determines etiology of the problem.  Usually they are used when very large size fillings are braking apart, or a tooth is broken or worn down. If patient is a grinder, crowns will not last as long as in normal situation. In general, they should last many years assuming patient takes care of them .In our office we offer 5 year guarantee as long as patient keeps hygiene maintenance prescribed.