Home > Prosthodontics > What is the Life Span of a Dental Crown?

What is the Life Span of a Dental Crown?

A dental crown, which restores a damaged tooth, can be made from three main materials: porcelain, gold or gold fused with porcelain.

Dental CrownGold
Gold is the least aesthetic material because of its yellowish colour, but it is also very durable. A gold crown may last for up to 25-30 years, considering that good oral hygiene is maintained.

Porcelain
A porcelain crown is very beautiful; of all materials, it gives the most natural appearance to a tooth. Its life span is however the shortest, lasting almost 10 years.

Gold fused to porcelain
A crown made of gold fused to porcelain offers the aesthetics of porcelain and the strength of gold. Its longevity is around 15 years.

When a tooth is less destroyed by tooth decay, it can be restored using an onlay or inlay, which can also be made up on gold or porcelain.

Source: Dental Crown
In French: Quelle est la durée de vie d’une couronne dentaire?

  1. ziee
    September 23, 2008 at 12:48 pm | #1

    thank you very much ,really i’m very happy to visit your blog

    mustapha mohamad

  2. tony elamparo
    March 15, 2009 at 6:30 pm | #2

    thanks you. very informative

    Tony

  3. Glynn
    August 12, 2009 at 10:50 pm | #4

    Question, is it common to have tooth decay under a gold crown or bridge? If so, how is this determined? How do you determine if a crown or bridge needs to be replaced? Thanks.

    • August 22, 2009 at 4:37 pm | #5

      Glynn,

      When a crown is very well sealed on a tooth that doesn’t have decay the day it was put on, then the chances of getting a new decay are low. Of course, someone who has bad hygiene, or bad nutrition can get that tooth decayed after a few years.

      • Glynn
        August 26, 2009 at 4:47 pm | #6

        Thanks for the reply.My gold bridge is over 20 years old and seems fine in my mouth (no issues). By using a probe, my dentist is saying she can feel some decay around the margin.The hygenist did not mention anything during the exam/cleaning session. Would this show up on an xray? I have no apparent problems and don’t want to replace it, if not necessary. I don’t want to rely on her word alone. Do you recommend a second opinion, or an xray to confirm what I am being told. It sounds like a bit of a dentist sell job, to be honest. Your reply is much appreciated!

  4. Glynn
    September 3, 2009 at 9:34 pm | #7

    Please comment on my last email, when time permits. Thanks.

    • Glynn
      October 6, 2009 at 8:58 pm | #8

      Is there a reason you can’t reply to the above questions?
      Were going back to Sept. 3rd now. Just asking.

      Thanks,
      G.

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