If you are investing in a dental crown or bridge, it is reasonable to ask: How long will it last?
Crowns and bridges are designed to function for many years, but there is no exact expiration date that applies to every restoration.
How long yours lasts depends on more than the material itself.
What Determines How Long a Crown Lasts?
A dental crown sits over a natural tooth, so the long-term health of that tooth matters. Factors that can affect longevity include:
- The amount of healthy tooth underneath the crown
- Oral hygiene
- Tooth decay
- Gum health
- The crown material
- Your bite
- Grinding or clenching
- Chewing very hard objects
- Regular dental care
The crown may be artificial, but the tooth underneath it is still vulnerable to dental problems.
What Determines How Long a Bridge Lasts?
A traditional dental bridge depends on its supporting teeth.
That means the health of those teeth is essential to the health of the entire restoration.
If decay or gum problems develop around one of the supporting teeth, the bridge may eventually need treatment or replacement.
Cleaning underneath the artificial tooth is especially important because a regular toothbrush cannot clean every surface around a bridge.
Can You Get a Cavity Under a Crown?
Yes.
The crown itself cannot develop tooth decay, but the natural tooth underneath it still can.
Decay can develop where the edge of the crown meets the tooth, particularly when plaque consistently collects in the area.
This is one reason brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular dental examinations remain important.
Do Crowns and Bridges Eventually Wear Out?
They can.
Every day, dental restorations are exposed to chewing forces, temperature changes and the environment of the mouth.
Over time, a restoration may:
- Wear
- Chip
- Fracture
- Become loose
- Develop problems around its margins
- Require replacement because the supporting tooth has changed That does not mean every older crown or bridge automatically needs to be replaced. If it remains healthy, functional and well fitting, your dentist may continue to monitor it.
Does Grinding Affect Crowns and Bridges?
Heavy or repetitive forces can contribute to wear or damage.
If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist should assess the overall pattern rather than looking only at the crown or bridge.
Replacing a broken restoration without understanding why it keeps breaking may not solve the underlying issue.
Signs Your Crown or Bridge Should Be Checked
Contact your dentist if you notice:
- Movement or looseness
- A crack or chip
- New pain when biting
- Increased sensitivity
- Bleeding or swelling around the restoration
- Food repeatedly becoming trapped
- A bad taste or odour around the area
- A noticeable change in your bite
These symptoms do not automatically mean your restoration needs replacement, but they are reasons to have it evaluated.
Should You Replace a Crown or Bridge After a Certain Number of Years?
Not simply because of its age.
Dental restorations should be evaluated based on their condition, fit, function and the health of the supporting teeth and tissues.
Some restorations require replacement earlier. Others continue functioning well for much longer.
Regular examinations allow your dentist to monitor changes before they become larger problems.
A long-lasting restoration begins with good treatment planning and continues with good maintenance.
At Smiles by Bis in Oakville, we can evaluate existing crowns and bridges, the teeth supporting them and how they function within your bite.
If an older restoration feels different or you simply want to know how it is holding up, an examination can provide clarity.
Call 905-338-6684 to book an appointment.