Porcelain Crown for Front Tooth

Question

My dentist is placing a porcelain crown on my front tooth. How long on average do you think this crown will last? How many times will I need to replace it if I am only 23? Which type of porcelain crown is the strongest?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

I get asked this question daily and the answer depends on several factors. Your occlusion (your bite) is very important in the longevity of any restoration. If your opposing tooth hits your crown too hard when you close down you risk fracturing it. If you are a grinder you will need a night guard to protect the crown. Is your hygiene good? Do you get your teeth cleaned regularly? Follow the instruction of your dentist and your crown should last for many years. Finally, if you are having a dental crown done on a front tooth makes sure it is all porcelain/ceramic. Ask your dentist if he uses Emax crowns. These are the strongest, most aesthetic crowns available. Hope this helps.

Tom Hedge, DDS · Answer

The lifespan of a crown depends on so many variables.  Hygiene, how much tooth is under the crown, skill of the dentist and lab, your bite, the material it was made from, did it have a root canal, etc..

Jessica Wyatt, DDS · Answer

Porcelain is a very beautiful, life-like restorative material used often for crowns and veneers on front teeth. One downside to porcelain is that it is one of the weaker materials in dentistry, which is why it is contraindicated in posterior teeth (molars in the back for example). There are other, stronger materials such as Emax that are also beautiful and life-like that may be a better choice for front teeth. As others have mentioned, placing one single crown on a front tooth is one of the more difficult procedures in dentistry. So make sure you pick a skilled dentist that works with a cosmetic dental lab and make sure that you preview the crown BEFORE it is permanently cemented so you can approve of its shape, shade, and size. 
As far as how long it will last, that depends on you, your dentist, and the material. There really is no specific answer for how long the crowns will last but if you care for your teeth and get regular dental visits and have selected a skill dentist, the crown should last some time. Hope this helps!

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:
The replacement of crowns depend on three factors:
1.  If you get gum recession where the roots of the tooth show while smiling, you may want to get longer crown to cover the roots.
2.  Chipping or fracturing the crown
3.  Getting decay where the crown meets the tooth.
The actual procelain material does not actually breakdown over time.  Both Zirconium and Emax crowns are strong, however Emax is more aesthetic.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I would expect a crown to last many years assuming you will take care of it by a regular oral hygiene and seeing a hygienist as recommended by your doctor. The crown might need to be replaced at some point.In the front area of the mouth I would consider E-max all porcelain crown for it's aesthetics and durability.

Joseph H. Hidalgo, DDS · Answer

The most esthetic crown currently is the Emax all porcelain crown. When it is bonded and cemented to your tooth it is very strong. I have to tell you that any crown (except gold) can fracture. The habits that we have that break our natural teeth can also break crowns. There is always some risk in anything we do in life. Having said that if you carefully clean your teeth and watch how you eat with it then it can last a very long time. On average, these types of crowns can last up to 15 years or longer. At your young age you can expect to replace it 3-4  times if you live to 85. Hope this helps.

Carolina Steier, DMD · Answer

If you have a crown that is made and fits properly (sealed margins) then I have seen patients that come in with them 20-30 years later.  The only way a crown can fail is if 1. The tooth under the crown breaks or if the gums recede.  Proper home care is key to having your crown for a long time.  Besides proper home care which your dental team should review with you when you get a crown routine cleanings at your dental office is imperative.  We recommend our patients come a minimum of 3-4 times a year and not let insurance guidelines dictate the frequency of cleanings.   If you have routine dental care then your crowns can last a lifetime!

Edward A. Alvarez, DDS - Account Suspened · Answer

It is always a very difficult question to answer when a patient asks "How long will a crown last?" because there are so many factors that go into that answer. A well prepped, fabricated, and cemented crown can last well over 20 years. At this point in my career, I have patients with crowns in their mouths that I placed in the late 1990's, and they have had no problems. The strongest (non metal, ie gold) crown would be a full zirconia crown. Many laboratories can fabricate beautiful full zirconia crowns, that are incredibly strong, and almost impossible to fracture, but there is a tradeoff. Your biggest tradeoff is aesthetics. Zirconia crowns tend to be opaque, and do not transmit light as well as a natural tooth, or other porcelain/ceramic materials. It also does not have the same bond strength to the tooth as other materials. I personally would not place a zirconia crown on a front tooth unless you are a severe bruxer (grinder). I prefer to use vita porcelain or empress porcelain on front teeth, and do them every day on my patients. You will get excellent aesthetics, with very natural looking results, but it is a little bit weaker than zirconia. In the end, if you are not a grinder, and don't open things with your teeth/bite your nails, I would recommend the vita/empress all porcelain (ceramic) crown. If you would like some extra insurance on the longevity of your crown, ask your dentist to make you a hard acrylic nightguard. There is no reason a properly done crown should not last you 20+ years. Best of luck...

Sandra M. Low, DMD · Answer

Porcelain crowns on average can last more than 10 to even 15yrs. If there is a concern wrt longevity from trauma such as grinding or clenching a special night guard can be made to protect the bite. Regular recare visits should be in place to prevent other factors that might compromise the crown such as loss of cement, wear etc ....and protect your smile.

Daniel Beninato, DDS · Answer

Crown longevity is different for everyone. Some people have an ideal situation, take meticulous care of their teeth and they last a very long time. Others might not be good with their home care and the crowns last a short period of time. The real answer is that a well made crown under good conditions will last as long as you allow it to. The strongest, most aesthetic appearing crown for front teeth right now seems to be e.max. It blends the look of porcelain with the strength of metal.

Porcelain Crown for Front Tooth

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