Can I File a Claim or Get a Refund for a Worn Out Dental Crown?

Posted by AllSmiles

I’ve had a crown for 12 years. My new dentist said the crown is in horrible shape, so we began the process of getting a new one. Can I file a claim or get a refund for the old dental crown? Thanks. RL

 

RL,

Requesting a refund on a 12-year-old crown isn’t reasonable. A crown that lasts that long has already provided significant value and stability.

If your crown were truly as problematic as your dentist said, it’s unlikely it would have lasted for 12 years. Poorly done crowns usually show signs of trouble much earlier. However, we are not dismissing the possibility that your crown needed to be replaced.

What Is the Lifespan of a Dental Crown?

Insurance companies consider five years the minimum acceptable lifespan for a crown. If a crown fails sooner, the dentist who placed it often provides some level of accommodation. With good home care, crowns can last many years longer.

Factors That Influence Crown Longevity

Many factors affect the longevity of a dental crown, so dentists rarely offer formal warranties. Much depends on what happens after you get the crown, including your daily oral hygiene habits.

• Oral hygiene routines and diet choices
• Snacking frequency and acidity exposure
• Clenching or grinding forces
• Overall risk for decay

Even excellent dental work can break down faster when the environment challenges it.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. We cater to patients with dental anxiety.