Porcelain crowns that are designed and placed by experienced, reputable dentists can last for many years, but even the best dental crowns can break under certain circumstances. There are a few different materials that are commonly used to make crowns, some of which are more durable than others. These options include porcelain fused to metal, all-porcelain or ceramic, metal alloys, and gold alloys. Metal alloy and gold alloy crowns are the strongest and longest-lasting, but they’re entirely noticeable and therefore not ideal for aesthetic restorations. Conversely, porcelain crowns are considered the aesthetic ideal, but they are often more prone to breaking or chipping than their metal counterparts.
Dental enamel is resilient and strong, just like porcelain crowns. However, just as it’s possible to break through dental enamel and fracture a tooth, it’s also possible to break a porcelain crown. This could happen because of a sudden impact, like a blow or injury to the face or biting incorrectly onto something hard, or it could happen because the crown has weakened over time. One of the more common forces that can weaken a porcelain crown, possibly leading to breakage, is chronic grinding and clenching of the teeth, a condition called bruxism. If you have bruxism, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard; these can be custom-made or sold over the counter, and they are designed to protect the teeth, or the crowns, from the chronic pressures of habitual clenching and grinding. You can protect your crowns from bruxism, and, while you may not be able to prevent injuries to your face or mouth, you can also take certain measures to reduce the likelihood of a porcelain crown cracking.
Avoid using your teeth, whether they’re natural teeth or crowns, to open packages or bottles, which is a universally bad idea and surefire way to damage the dentition. Additionally, just as effective oral hygiene that includes regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits can help keep the natural teeth stable and healthy, these practices can also help ensure the integrity of porcelain crowns. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice daily and flossing daily, along with visits to the dentist at recommended intervals, and these practices in combination can make a dramatic contribution to the continued health and strength of the oral tissues, which helps keep porcelain crowns comfortably, securely in place. Maintaining the surrounding tissues in these ways can also help protect porcelain crowns and provide a healthy environment in which they can function optimally.
If you have a porcelain crown that has chipped or broken, call your dentist to see if urgent treatment is necessary. If there are any rough, jagged edges of exposed tooth or broken crown that are posing the risk of injury to the soft tissues or adjacent teeth, you might need to see your dentist sooner, though most of the time, a damaged crown doesn’t warrant emergency dental care. If you have a porcelain crown that has become dislodged or fallen out, save the crown and take it to the dentist with you; there’s a possibility that the dentist will be able to reuse the same crown, though sometimes crowns need to be entirely replaced. Your dentist will review the likely causes of damage to your porcelain crown, helping you make and execute a plan to prevent the issue from arising again once the crown’s been replaced. With the proper considerations, you can keep your porcelain crown from cracking or sustaining damage, helping it preserve and protect your natural tooth while restoring your smile for years.
