What Is Implant Crown: Procedure and Types
Since their invention, dental crowns near you have been the go-to solution for severely damaged teeth. They are usually the most sought-after dental restoration since they can deal with cosmetic and structural dental issues such as cracks, chips, and stains.
The evolution of dental technology has made several options available for patients looking for variety. From porcelain to metal, you will get the dental crown that you need.
But besides the conventional uses for crowns, they can also replace missing teeth. In this case, they are known as implant crowns. However, before we enter the types of crowns, let’s get a view of this artificial tooth.
The Structure of an Artificial Tooth
The tooth implant is a small titanium screw-like rod, the size of the root, that our dentist inserts into the jawbone. This feature makes dental implants stand out from the other tooth replacements in the market.
This artificial tooth replacement may not be the same as your natural tooth, but it does a great job mimicking your tooth’s function and appearance. This is because it replaces the entire tooth, including the root.
For it to be effective, it has several components that are placed over the tooth to ensure that it is functional, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing.
Therefore, it has the following distinct parts:
- The implant – a titanium or zirconia screw-like post that is root-sized and is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace the tooth root
- The abutment is the component that links the upper part of the implant, under the gum line, to the lower part of the tooth replacement.
- Tooth replacement is a dental prosthesis covering the implant, which can be the crown.
The implant crown can be attached using oral cement or screws. Let’s check out the procedure.
How Are Implant Crowns Fixed?
Fixing the implant crown is usually the last step of a very long procedure. Getting dental implants is done in stages and can take as little as three months or as long as a year. Here is the implant placement process.
Evaluation and Preparation
Our dentist will examine your jawbone, medical history, and gums during the initial appointment to check your eligibility for the procedure. Also, evaluation determines the best course of treatment.
Once the evaluation is done, the next step is to prepare. This might involve tooth extraction if the tooth is still intact. This is usually done in the second appointment.
Implant Placement
If our dentist determines that you don’t need extra procedures, such as bone grafting, then your next appointment will be for implant placement. Our dentist will begin by administering anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Our dentist will place the implant with pin-point precision into the jawbone. After this, you will wait a few months for the jawbone to heal. The next appointment will be to fix the abutment.
Abutment Fixing
Fixing the abutment won’t take long. So, our dentist will access the implant under the gumline and then screws the abutment on it. You will go home and wait for the gums to heal.
Implant Crown Placement
Once the gums have healed, our dentist will fix the crown. The implant crown in Chaska can be fixed using two methods:
- Attaching the Crown With Dental Cement
Our dentist in Chaska might choose to attach the dental crowns to the abutment using dental cement. Dental cement is tooth-colored and can blend well with the rest of the teeth. When dental cement is attached to the front teeth, you will not experience discoloration.
- Screw-Retained Crowns
On the other hand, our dentist can go for screw-retained crowns, which are screwed onto the abutment. The screw-retained implant crown is much better regarding longevity, use, and ease of repair.
Types of Dental Crowns
You can choose the dental crown that meets your needs and preferences. You have the following options that you can pick from:
Porcelain-Fused to Metal
This type of crown is covered by porcelain and fused with metal. It is sturdy and aesthetically pleasing.
Resin
Resin is plastic and is the least expensive crown. It is tooth-colored and is aesthetically pleasing.
Metals
The metal crown is made from alloys of palladium, gold, nickel, silver, and other metals. They are sturdy and can last long but aren’t aesthetically pleasing. That’s why they are used for the back teeth.
The Takeaway
Dental crowns are made from various materials; therefore, you have many choices. They can help restore your smile. So, contact us at Chaska Town Dental if you consider getting dental crowns.