For smiles that need repair and restoration from damage, decay, tooth loss, and more, two dental restorations stand out: dental crowns and dental implants. To select the best dental restoration for your smile,
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a tooth cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, making it stronger and improving its look. These crowns protect damaged teeth by completely covering them, stopping further decay or injury. Encasing the damaged tooth, dental crowns help it work better and restore its natural appearance, blending in with surrounding teeth. This makes them great for strengthening weak teeth and maintaining a healthy, attractive smile.
Some of the most common types of dental crowns include:
- Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns. Renowned for their natural-looking appearance, these crowns blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth, offering a visually pleasing solution.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns. Combining a metal interior with a porcelain exterior, these crowns balance strength and aesthetics.
- Gold Alloy Crowns. Known for their exceptional durability, gold alloy crowns are ideal for posterior teeth, although less favored for anterior teeth due to their metallic hue.
- Base Metal Alloy Crowns. Economical options are crafted from non-precious metals like chromium or nickel, which may not perfectly match the natural tooth color.
What is the Dental Crown Procedure?
The dental crown procedure typically requires the following steps:
- Tooth Preparation. The dentist reshapes the tooth, removing a portion of enamel to fix the crown.
- Impressions and Shade Matching. Impressions of the tooth are taken, and a matching shade is selected.
- Temporary Crown Placement. A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated.
- Permanent Crown Placement. The temporary crown is replaced with a permanent one and securely cemented.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium rods surgically embedded into the jawbone as sturdy anchors for artificial teeth. These implants are fixed with the jawbone through osseointegration, forming a robust foundation for dental crowns. Essentially, they replicate the function of natural tooth roots, providing stability and support for the replacement teeth above.
Top dental implant systems include:
- Single Dental Implants. These implants replace individual missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post and a custom-made crown for a natural appearance.
- Hybrid Implants. These implants offer enhanced stability and flexibility by combining fixed and removable denture features.
- Hybridge Implants. These provide a full-arch restoration on fewer implants, offering a cost-effective, time-efficient solution for extensive tooth loss.
- Mini Dental Implants. These smaller-in-diameter implants are used for patients with less bone density and are often employed to stabilize lower dentures.
- All-on-4 Implants. The All-on-4 technique supports a full arch of teeth using only four implants, providing a stable and permanent solution for complete tooth replacement.
- Overdentures. These removable dentures are anchored to implants, offering improved retention and comfort compared to traditional dentures.
How are Dental Implants Placed?
The dental implant procedure typically includes the following steps:
- Surgical implant placement. Under anesthesia, the titanium post is precisely inserted into the jawbone.
- Healing and osseointegration. The jawbone heals and fuses with the implant over several months, creating a stable base.
- Abutment placement: Once osseointegration is complete, the abutment is attached to the implant, serving as a connector.
- Dental crown restoration placement. Finally, a custom-made crown is secured to the abutment, completing the restoration and providing a natural-looking, functional tooth.
Key Differences Between Dental Implants and Dental Crowns
While dental crowns reinforce damaged teeth and improve aesthetics, dental implants replace missing teeth and preserve jawbone integrity. Crowns are suitable for large fillings, post-root canal treatments, and cosmetic enhancements, an dental implants are ideal for severe tooth damage and missing teeth, offering durability and bone preservation.
With both types of dental restorations, require proper oral hygiene and diet adjustments. Crowns typically last up to 15 years with proper care, while implants can last a lifetime with care, though crowns on implants may need periodic replacement.
Consult Your Dentist's Expertise to Discover the Best Restoration for You
Choosing between a dental crown and an implant depends on different factors, including the condition of the tooth, overall oral health, lifestyle considerations, and your overall budget. If you need to restore one or more teeth and are considering a dental crown or an implant, allow your dentist's expertise to help you rebuild your healthy smile. Schedule a restorative consultation to receive expert guidance on choosing the best treatments for your smile!