How long can i expect a crown to last? i'll be going in for my first crown soon, and am wondering how long i can expect it to last for. does it depend on what kind of crown is used, and on what tooth it is?

Dental : Dental restorations, in general, can last for ten to fifteen years. Many last for much longer, and some fail sooner. Factors that go into a restoration's longevity include how well it fits, your home care, your diet, parafunctional habits (clenching and grinding your teeth), and frequency of professional hygiene visits. A crown is a restoration of a severly broken down tooth that can no longer be restored with a filling. Well fitting crowns, whether porcelain fused to gold or all porcelain should last you a very long time if you take the time and effert to take care of it.

I : I have a slightly different take on how long a well made dental crown should last. I have been running this practice on sunset boulevard for 36 years. My predecessor practiced since 1929. I have some of his patients for whom he delivered crowns in the 1950's and they still have the restorations in their mouths today. Most of these long lasting restorations are all gold. Many of the crowns i placed in the 1970's are still in the mouth. So my answer to this question is "well maintained, a crown can last for many years, ".

I : I have a third take on your question. Insurance carriers (who are not generous in paying benefits) usually pay to replace crowns every five to ten years, depending on your plan. I would hope that my crowns last at least that long, and much longer. But if the insurance industry is willing to pay for a new crown in as little as five years then...