At Glenferrie Dental, it’s our mission to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile using the most appropriate and effective dental solutions. Among the range of treatments available, dental crowns and dental implants stand out as two of the most reliable and transformative options.
If one (or more) of your teeth are decayed or damaged, your dentist may recommend a crown or an implant as a treatment option. Both crowns and dental implants provide excellent solutions, but understanding which is right for you is crucial. That’s why we’re here – to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make sure you’re comfortable with your dental health decisions.
Call our friendly reception team on (03) 9818 1930 to book a consultation where we can discuss these options and find the best solution for your specific dental needs.
What Exactly are Crowns?
While it may appear at first look that our teeth are all one piece, they, like any other portion of our bodies, have several components and parts. In general, a tooth\’s parts are divided into two sections: the root and the crown. The element of a tooth that is not visible and supports the tooth within our jawbones and gum tissue is called the root. The crown is the visible component of the tooth that you can see within your mouth. Restorative crowns are synthetically created duplicates of your natural teeth meant to fit your existing teeth.
The damaged or decayed section of your natural tooth will be filed down to remove the afflicted tooth material and give a clean surface for the crown to sit on before a crown can be placed. A permanent dental adhesive is then used to adhere the crown to the remaining natural tooth. Restorative crowns are shaped and coloured to resemble your natural teeth as closely as possible, resulting in a virtually undetectable difference between the synthetic tooth and the rest of your teeth.
Comparison of Dental Implants and Crowns
Dental implants and crowns are both effective options for restoring damaged or missing teeth. However, they have some key differences that may make one option more suitable for you than the other.
Pros of Dental Implants
- Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth.
- Dental implants help to preserve jawbone mass and prevent bone resorption.
- Dental implants can be used to support a single tooth, a bridge, or even a denture.
Cons of Dental Implants
- Dental implants are a surgical procedure and require a healing period.
- Dental implants are more expensive than crowns.
Pros of Crowns
- Crowns can be placed on a damaged or decayed tooth without the need for surgery.
- Crowns are less expensive than dental implants.
Cons of Crowns
- Crowns do not replace missing teeth, they only restore the function and appearance of a damaged tooth.
- Crowns can sometimes become loose or fall out.
Indications for dental implants are typically for patients who are missing one or more teeth, while indications for crowns are typically for patients who have a damaged or decayed tooth. Dental implants are also typically more expensive than crowns.
Dental Implant Crowns
A dental implant crown is a type of restoration that is placed on top of a dental implant. The implant crown is custom-made to fit over the implant and is typically made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal. Dental implant crowns are a popular option for patients who have lost one or more teeth due to injury, disease, or decay and want a permanent solution.
The process of placing a dental implant crown typically involves a surgical procedure to place the implant in the jawbone, followed by a healing period. Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, an impression is taken of the implant and sent to a dental lab where the implant crown is custom-made. Once the implant crown is ready, it is cemented into place over the implant.
Dental implant crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, and metal. Porcelain and ceramic implant crowns are popular because they closely match the colour and translucency of natural teeth. Metal implant crowns are also an option, but they are typically less aesthetic than porcelain or ceramic crowns.
Alternatives to Crowns
While crowns are a popular option for restoring damaged or decayed teeth, they are not the only option available. Other alternatives include bridges, partial dentures, and inlays and onlays.
Bridges are a type of dental restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of a replacement tooth that is anchored in place by crowns on either side of the missing tooth. Bridges are a good option for patients who are missing one or more teeth and have healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
Partial dentures are a type of dental restoration that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of a replacement tooth that is anchored in place by clasps or other attachments. Partial dentures are a good option for patients who are missing several teeth but still have some healthy natural teeth remaining.
Inlays and onlays are a type of dental restoration that is used to restore the function and appearance of a damaged tooth. They are custom-made to fit over the existing tooth and are typically made of porcelain or composite material. Inlays and onlays are a good option for patients who have a damaged or decayed tooth but do not need a full crown.
Choosing a Dentist for Dental Implants or Crowns
When choosing a dentist for dental implants or crown placements, it is important to do your research. Start by asking friends, family, or your general dentist for recommendations. You can also check online for reviews of local dentists.
Once you have a list of potential dentists, schedule a consultation to learn more about their experience and qualifications. Ask about their training, the types of dental implant or crown systems they use, and the success rate of their patients.
It’s also important to consider the cost of a dental implant or crown placement. While cost should not be the only factor in your decision, it is important to have a clear understanding of the costs involved before you make a final decision.
Caring for Dental Implants and Crowns
Once you have dental implants or crowns, it is important to take good care of them to ensure they last as long as possible. This includes practising good oral hygiene, visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, and avoiding habits that can damage your dental work, such as biting your nails, chewing ice, or grinding your teeth.
It’s also important to be aware of the signs of complications, such as pain or swelling, and to contact your dentist immediately if you experience any problems.
When Should Crowns be Used for Restorative Dentistry?
Crowns are an excellent treatment for several dental problems and come with a lot of benefits. Fillings are great for minor cavities, but they aren’t always the greatest option for larger cavities or teeth that have been physically damaged or chipped due to an accident or trauma. A crown is often recommended when the root, gums, bone, and surrounding area of the tooth are still healthy. It does not necessitate the removal of the entire diseased tooth or any invasive oral surgery.
Overall, a restorative crown is an excellent method to address the problem and return the mouth to full function and a very natural appearance when the damage or decay is restricted and isolated to a single tooth and exists on the visible region of the tooth.
What are Dental Implants, and How Do They Work?
When a tooth is damaged beyond its visible surface and spreads down into the root, it can result in the tooth’s complete loss and harm to the surrounding bone, gums, and tissue if left untreated. In this case, simply replacing a tooth’s crown will not fix the underlying condition. Hence a full restorative dental implant will most likely be required.
Dental implants Melbourne are tooth replacements permanently secured in place within the jawbone, from the root to the crown. An anchor and a crown are the two parts of a dental implant. The anchors are usually made of metal or composite dental material and serve the same purpose as the tooth’s root. These materials, which are often titanium or zirconium, effectively fuse with the jawbone, resulting in a very secure and permanent attachment. The visible section of the dental implant is made of synthetic dental material in the same manner that a crown is. Because this part of the dental implant will be visible in your mouth, it is shaped and coloured like a crown to blend it with your natural teeth and give it a more natural appearance.
When is it Advisable to Use Dental Implants for Restorative Dental Work?
Suppose your dentist discovers that the tooth’s deterioration or decay goes past the visible crown and down into the root. In that case, they will likely propose a restorative dental implant instead of a crown as a treatment. Accidents that result in an entirely missing tooth, or cases where the risk of bone loss from alternative tooth replacement treatments is too significant, are other situations when an implant is the best choice. Compared to some designs of bridges or dentures that are affixed simply to the gums or other teeth, the dental implant is attached directly to the jawbone, posing a significantly lower danger of bone degeneration.
Dental implants are the preferred restorative dental treatment option when an entire tooth is missing or extracted. Dental implants provide a permanent, natural-looking treatment for these individuals by allowing for a complete replacement of the missing tooth while avoiding the concerns of bone loss. Crowns may not be a realistic option for certain types of patients who need more extensive restorative dental work. In contrast, restorative dental implants are the recommended way for replacing many damaged teeth.
Final Thoughts
A complete and thorough dental checkup, including a full evaluation of your dental health records and history, must be conducted before any determination can be made about which option is the best choice for your situation. Your dentist will want to make sure that the procedure you choose is the best fit for your needs and that it will provide you with the most satisfactory potential results. They will go over the many benefits and drawbacks of the various procedures with you, specifically as they apply to your oral health history and intended outcome. It must be noted Treatment for dental crowns always need a local anaesthetic, whilst Treatment for dental implant crowns (after the implant has healed) typically does not require an anaesthetic.
Get a Free Dental Implant Quote from our Qualified Australian Dentists
Dental implants are a significant undertaking that you would not want to entrust to just anyone. They are, however, worth the investment.
It is the most commonly chosen option for patients who need missing teeth implant, and you get a more natural look and feel. You are looking to improve and change your life.
Put the health and care of your teeth in the hands of those you can trust.
Get a free quote today from Dr Peter Laird at Glenferrie Dental.