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Crowns

Also called: Dental Crowns, Tooth Crowns

- Summary
- About crowns
- Types and differences
- Before the crown
- During and after
- Potential risks and benefits
- Lifestyle considerations
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Kenneth Cheng, D.D.S.

Lifestyle considerations with crowns

In general, crowns require the same care as natural teeth. However, it is typically recommended that patients with crowns avoid chewing on extremely hard substances (e.g., nuts, ice), grinding their teeth and biting their fingernails. These activities can damage the crowns and reduce durability.

Crowns can last many years. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, crowns tend to last for around five to eight years. However, diligently cared for crowns can last many decades.

It is important for all patients, whether or not they have artificial crowns, to see a dentist regularly for a dental examination and cleaning. Diligent dental hygiene is also extremely important. Crowns do not protect the teeth from tooth decay, periodontal disease and other common oral concerns. While patients with crowns are not generally required to do anything that is not recommended for natural teeth as well, they may be advised to pay particular attention to the area of the tooth by the gumline. This is where plaque and decay may get under the crown and damage the underlying natural tooth.

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Review Date: 06-18-2007

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