Prosthesis Lifespan and Replacement Guide: When Crowns, Fillings, Inlays and Dentures Need to Be Redone

Prostheses are not permanent. The KDCA National Health Information Portal introduces the lifespan of prostheses such as crowns as about 10 years in the literature, and the lifespan of composite resin as varying widely from 3.3 to 16 years. However, the real timing of replacement is judged less by how long it has been used than by whether decay has formed in the tooth beneath it or it has cracked or opened a gap, and checking its condition through regular checkups is the key.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Prosthesis (crown) lifespan	About 10 years in the literature; varies with tooth condition, hygiene, diet and care (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Composite resin lifespan	Reported variously as 3.3 to 16 years (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Gold inlay	Many people use them for 10 years or more (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Insured denture benefit cycle	7 years (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Checkup interval after treatment	Every 6 months if you have recently had oral disease treatment (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)
Regular implant checkups	Every 3 to 6 months after treatment is completed (source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) National Health Information Portal)

How long does each prosthesis last?

In describing full porcelain crowns, the National Health Information Portal introduces prosthesis lifespan as about 10 years in the literature, adding that it varies with the condition of the tooth before treatment, oral hygiene, diet and maintenance. The same material also explains that the lifespan of ceramic materials is generally shorter than that of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.

For composite resin, research standards vary, so the lifespan is guided as being reported over a wide range of 3.3 to 16 years. Gold inlays are a long-established method, used by many people for 10 years or more. These figures are only average reference values and do not decide an individual's replacement time.

What are the signs that replacement is needed?

When a gap forms at the prosthesis margin or secondary decay develops in the tooth beneath, it often has to be remade. Secondary decay is hard to see from the outside and is commonly found on X-rays.

If you notice changes like those below, it is best to have it checked regardless of how long it has been in place. Even if it is not very uncomfortable, dealing with it early lets you finish with less tooth removal.

The prosthesis is loose or feels lifted when chewing
Food often gets trapped at the margin, or there is an odor
Part of the prosthesis or filling cracks or wears and changes shape
New sensitivity to cold, or pain when chewing
A denture becomes loose and often falls out, or the gums hurt

How are dentures and implant prostheses managed?

Insured dentures have a 7-year benefit cycle, and a new denture made after that can be covered again. In the meantime, if the gums shrink and the denture loosens, relines that reinforce the inside, repairs of broken parts and bite adjustments are covered within the set annual number of times.

For implant prostheses, the National Health Information Portal advises regular checkups every 3 to 6 months after treatment is finished. Along with problems such as loosened screws or a cracked prosthesis, the condition of the surrounding jawbone is checked.

What matters for making a prosthesis last?

The key is protecting the natural teeth beneath and beside the prosthesis rather than the prosthesis itself. It is best to clean the margin carefully with the tip of the toothbrush, use floss or interdental brushes, and, if you have recently had treatment, follow the National Health Information Portal recommendation of a checkup every 6 months.

Habits such as biting ice or hard nuts or opening bottle caps with your teeth are common causes of broken crowns and fillings. If you grind your teeth, use a protective device, and cutting back on heavily pigmented drinks and smoking is advisable because they increase discoloration around resin.

What should you check when redoing a prosthesis?

When told that replacement is needed, first confirm what the problem is. Whether it is a margin gap or secondary decay, a broken prosthesis, or a problem in the root of the tooth beneath determines whether it only needs recovering or must be changed to root canal treatment or a different prosthesis.

Look at the problem area together with the dentist on X-rays or oral photos while hearing the explanation, and ask the reason for redoing it in the same material or changing to another. Replacement is often uninsured and quotes differ by dental clinic, so you can compare by referring to local prices in the HIRA uninsured medical fee information.

Common myths and facts

Myth: A crown older than 10 years must be replaced.

The figure of around 10 years is only an average from the literature. If there is no gap, secondary decay or cracking, it is often kept in use and monitored through regular checkups.

Myth: Prostheses do not get cavities, so careless cleaning is fine.

The prosthesis itself does not decay, but secondary decay can form in the natural tooth at the margin. This margin decay is exactly the common reason prostheses are redone.

Frequently asked questions

My filling has discolored. Does it need to be redone?

The National Health Information Portal explains that discoloration around resin can be removed by polishing. If there is no decay beneath the discoloration, polishing alone may solve it, so get an examination first.

Do old amalgam fillings have to be replaced too?

It is not necessary to replace them unless they crack or decay forms at the margin. The National Health Information Portal explains that if the amalgam margin corrodes or secondary decay enlarges the defect, it can be replaced with a restoration such as a gold inlay.

Is the tooth ground down again when a crown is replaced?

The old crown is cut off and the decay beneath is removed, so the tooth often becomes slightly smaller. That is why finding a problem early while it is small and limiting the scope of replacement is advantageous.

How many years until a denture needs to be refitted?

There is no set replacement interval, but the gums shrink little by little over time and the denture loosens. Under insured maintenance, relines are covered once a year and tissue conditioning up to twice a year, so get it checked when the fit changes.

Why are regular checkups important for extending prosthesis life?

Decay and gum disease under a prosthesis often progress before they hurt. Finding them early on X-rays at regular checkups makes it more likely that small treatment will do without removing the prosthesis.

References

Korean version →