Dental implants have been used since the 1960s and have become one of the most popular restorative dentistry procedures. With advancing technology, dental implants have become biocompatible, more functional, and more realistic looking. The dental crown that completes a dental implant procedure has also improved due to technology like CEREC same-day crown machines.
Dental implant and crown procedures are popular because they closely mimic a natural tooth’s functionality and aesthetics. If you need a tooth replacement, ask your dentist if a dental implant and crown procedure is right for you.
Who Needs a Dental Implant and Crown?
A dental implant fitted with a dental crown replaces a single tooth. While tooth loss is decreasingly prevalent globally, it is still very common for aging populations to lose teeth.
Dental implant procedures replace missing teeth, severely cracked teeth, overly-decayed teeth, and they are great for people who prefer not to wear dentures. They are a long-term solution because typically, only the dental crown needs replacing. Replacement of a dental crown is usually necessary 5-15 years after the procedure is completed.
Step-by-Step Dental Implant and Crown Procedure
A dental implant is a restorative dental procedure that typically takes multiple months to complete. The multi-stage implant process starts with evaluation and tooth extraction and is complete once a personalised dental crown is fitted onto the healed implant and abutment.
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Evaluation and tooth extraction
The first step to receiving dental implants is an evaluation of your teeth and jawbone. If your dentist determines the tooth is unhealthy enough to repair, they perform an extraction. Your dentist then needs to inspect your jaw for density and thickness to ensure it can support a dental implant. If not, they may recommend a bone grafting procedure to strengthen the bone to accommodate the anchoring screw.
Dental implants consist of three components: The anchoring screw, an abutment, and the dental prosthetic, or the crown. The screw is embedded in your jawbone and acts as the new tooth’s root. It is made of titanium, a material that allows your jaw to grow around it.
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Dental implant surgery
Dental implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that uses local anaesthesia, so you feel no discomfort. Depending on the complexity, the procedure takes about an hour from start to finish.
Your dentist administers anaesthesia and begins the surgery by opening the gums to reveal the jawbone. Then they drill a hole and place a long screw into the jawbone. Since the screw serves as the new tooth’s root, it is placed deep into the bone. Your dentist closes and sutures your gum tissue.
Before attaching a dental crown to the implant, the anchoring screw must osseointegrate. This is the biological process where your bone grows around the screw, fusing it in place. It may take up to 12 weeks before your implant is ready for the abutment and restoration.
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Abutment and dental crown placement
Once the anchoring screw osseointegrates, your dentist can outfit it with an abutment that holds the dental crown. This involves incising the gums to expose the dental implant screw. The abutment attaches to the screw, and the gums are closed around but not over the abutment. The gums heal for 2-4 weeks, and you’re ready for the final stage of the implant procedure.
Before the dentist places the crown on the abutment, they must customise it to fit your mouth. CEREC technology gives No Gaps Dental dentists the ability to create unique ceramic crowns in the office on the same day as impressions are taken. The CEREC machine uses computer-aided design and manufacturing to create a personalised crown that fits perfectly and matches your natural tooth colour.
Once the crown is made, the dentist secures it to the abutment. The colour-matching ceramic crown looks just like your natural teeth and restores function to your bite.
Dental Implants and Crowns Cost
While the exact cost of a dental implant and crown procedure is determined by your insurance and the dental practice, some additional factors also affect the price. Dental implants cost more when additional procedures are necessary to complete the implant surgery. Tooth extraction and bone grafting are the most common complementary procedures.
The dental crown material also impacts the implant procedure’s price. Dental implants with expensive crown materials like metal-alloy or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are likely to increase the cost compared to porcelain/ceramic or composite resin crowns. Beyond price considerations, people choose different materials for their strength and aesthetics.
Metal-alloy is the strongest material but does not have a natural tooth appearance. This makes metal-alloy crowns ideal for molar replacements, where teeth must withstand intense bite force.
Composite resin is the least expensive and has great aesthetics, but it does not last as long because it is the weakest material. Composite resin is commonly used for cosmetic restorations where functionality is not a primary concern.
Ceramic combines an aesthetically-pleasing appearance with strength. Metal-oxide infused ceramic, a commonly used crown material, lasts over 10 years 94% of the time. Its combination of strength and visual appeal make it appropriate for front teeth or back teeth.
Improve Your Wellbeing with Dental Implants and Crowns
If you have a problematic tooth causing you pain and negatively impacting your wellbeing, ask your dentist about dental implants. Over a few dentist visits, you can restore your smile, regain chewing ability, and improve your quality of life by replacing a single damaged tooth with a dental implant and crown.
No Gaps Dental has 15 locations in and around Sydney, making oral health care accessible and convenient. Our experienced dentists are happy to talk with you about dental implants and the other services we offer. Contact us on (02) 8806 0227 today to schedule an appointment to discuss your tooth restoration and replacement options.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Fifty Years of Dental Implant Development: a Continuous Evolution
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29894046/
Global Burden of Severe Tooth Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24947899/
Titanium–Tissue Interface Reaction and Its Control With Surface Treatment
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2019.00170/full
Osseointegration: An Update
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602536/
How long will it last? The expected longevity of prosthodontic and restorative treatment
https://www.academia.edu/29722051/How_long_will_it_last_The_expected_longevity_of_prosthodontic_and_restorative_treatment