How Long Do Dental Crowns Last and How Can You Extend Their Lifespan?

vvigoren
Oct 2
3 min read

By Greg Vigoren, DDS

Wondering how durable your dental crown will be? At Vigoren Restorative Dentistry in Newport Beach, CA, I’ve seen that precise technique plus smart daily habits can dramatically extend crown life. Crowns restore chewing strength and natural appearance when teeth are cracked, heavily filled, or root-canal treated—provided the fit, material, and aftercare are right. This guide distills evidence and practical habits to help your crowns last.

TL;DR

Most patients can expect 5–15 years from a crown with normal use and care (Cleveland Clinic).
Large real-world datasets show survival ≈ 75% at 5 years, ~63% at 10 years, and ~52% at 15 years (British Dental Journal analysis).
Material and technique matter: lithium disilicate and zirconia crowns commonly show high 5-year survival in clinical studies when placed and maintained well (ADA/JADA overview; Wiley review).
Daily hygiene, night-guard use (if you grind), and regular checks are your biggest lifespan multipliers.

What the Research Says About Crown Longevity

For patients, a simple benchmark helps: crowns commonly last 5–15 years with routine care (Cleveland Clinic).

Population-scale data provide deeper context. An analysis in the British Dental Journal reports approximately 75% survival at 5 years, ~63% at 10 years, and ~52% at 15 years across a very large dataset—reflecting real-world habits and follow-up patterns (BDJ).

When we zoom into controlled clinical settings, survival rates are often higher. ADA/JADA topic summaries note lithium disilicate crowns around the high-90% range at 5 years in prospective and critical reviews, and report strong short-term survival for zirconia crowns as well (ADA/JADA). Systematic reviews of zirconia crowns supported by teeth estimate about 91% 5-year survival overall, with contemporary monolithic series reporting higher figures in selected cohorts (Wiley).

What Most Influences Crown Durability?

Fit and bonding: High-magnification prep/finish and isolation improve margins and retention, reducing secondary decay.
Material selection: Lithium disilicate and zirconia are robust when matched to bite forces and esthetic needs (ADA/JADA).
Tooth location & bite forces: Molars see greater load; bruxism (grinding) accelerates wear and chipping.
Oral hygiene: Daily plaque control prevents decay at margins—the #1 late failure driver.
Follow-up: Small issues (open contacts, high spots, micro-leakage) are easiest to fix early.

My Practical Tips to Extend Crown Lifespan

Brush twice daily (soft brush) and floss around the crown margins; consider a water flosser for tight contacts.
Wear a night guard if you clench/grind.
Avoid ice chewing, nail-biting, and using teeth as tools.
Keep 6-month hygiene/assessment visits—earlier intervention prevents costly replacements.
If you have a root-canal-treated molar, discuss cuspal coverage (onlay/crown) to prevent fractures.

Material Snapshots (Evidence-Based)

Lithium disilicate (ceramic): Esthetic, strong, and well-studied; ADA/JADA-summarized studies report ~97% 5-year survival with appropriate case selection (ADA/JADA).
Zirconia (monolithic): High strength and fracture resistance; a rigorous review estimates ~91% 5-year survival for tooth-supported single crowns overall (Wiley).

FAQs

How long do dental crowns typically last?

Most patients can expect 5–15 years, depending on material, technique, bite forces, and hygiene habits (Cleveland Clinic).

Why do some studies show lower long-term survival?

Population datasets include all comers (variable hygiene, grinding, lost follow-up), so survival declines at 10–15 years reflect real-world conditions: ~63% at 10 years, ~52% at 15 years (BDJ).

Which material lasts the longest?

There’s no single “best” for every case, but lithium disilicate and zirconia perform exceptionally when matched to the bite and esthetics; 5-year survival commonly exceeds 90–97%+ in studies (ADA/JADA; Wiley).

What should I do if my crown feels high or loose?

Call the office promptly. Early adjustment or re-cementation can prevent crack propagation, recurrent decay, or chipping.

Next step: If you have a crown that’s due for evaluation—or you’re considering a new one—schedule a visit on our Services page or call (949) 760-1152.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Please consult a licensed dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

Author Bio

Greg Vigoren, DDS is a restorative dentist in Newport Beach, CA. Over nearly 50 years, he has pioneered high-magnification techniques and precision restorative protocols focused on preserving natural teeth and long-term oral health.