Dental Implant Crown
You may have heard that dental implants are a great replacement tooth option, but not know much about how an implant works or what the implant procedure involves. Before deciding if a dental implant is right for you, it may help to learn more about the dental implant procedure. What is a dental implant? What is an implant crown? Below is more information about dental implants and the role of the dental implant crown.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth designed to replace a missing tooth. The implant includes several parts, that are securely placed in the mouth in a series of steps. The implant parts include:
- A metal post ( “the implant” ) that is surgically inserted into the gums where the root of tooth would be.
- An abutment that extends from the post and supports the artificial crown attached on top.
- An artificial crown attached to the top of the post that serves as the replacement tooth.
Implants differ from other tooth replacement alternatives because they are mostly permanent and offer the same stability and structure of a real tooth. After the implant procedure is complete it is almost impossible to tell the new artificial tooth from the original natural teeth.
The Implant Crown
The implant crown is the part of the dental implant that is visible, providing the appearance and function of a natural tooth. Before starting the implant treatment, your dentist will discuss with you the various options you have for the implant crown. This includes choosing the crown material and whether you want a crown that is removable, fixed or hybrid. A removable crown is similar to a removable denture. Often removable crowns attach to a metal platform on the implant. The benefits of the removable crown are that it can be easily detached if you need to have it repaired or cleaned. A fixed crown is either permanently screwed or cemented to the implant. Implant crowns can be made from a variety of materials but are most commonly made from porcelain or ceramic. Your dentist will help you select the best crown for you.
The Crown Placement
The attachment of the implant crown is the final phase of the implant procedure. Sometimes a temporary crown is placed immediately after the abutment attachment and is used for approximately four to six weeks. The temporary crown protects the new implant from damage while the permanent crown is being made. Once the abutment is placed, the dentist will take impressions of the abutment and then order the permanent crown. The impressions help to ensure the perfect fit and size of the new implant crown. Once the permanent crown has been made by a dental lab, it is time for the crown placement. The crown placement is a simple procedure where the crown is cemented or screwed into the abutment on top of the implant post. After the crown has been placed, some minor adjustments may be needed. This is common and is important to make sure the new tooth aligns correctly with the nearby teeth.