Losing your natural teeth can affect your life in numerous ways. For starters, missing teeth can make your smile less attractive and affect your bite function. Similarly, lost teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration, facial muscle sagging, and shifting of the nearby teeth.
Getting a dental implant is a reliable and long-term investment that you can make to achieve a beautiful, healthier, and functional smile. If you’re considering dental implants, you might have heard that you’ll also need a crown to make the implant feel and look like your natural teeth. Keep reading to learn why you might need a dental crown over an implant.
What are Dental Implants?
A tooth implant consists of a small titanium post or screw that’s surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant bonds with the jawbone in the process of osseointegration, becoming a permanent part of your mouth. It takes about 3 to 6 months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone completely.
The implant posts act like your natural teeth roots. On its own, it would be impossible to achieve the natural feeling and appearance of your natural teeth. To complete the implant, your dentist can recommend placing a dental crown.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap-like dental prosthesis that is placed over an implant to improve its size, shape, and color in order to match your natural teeth. A dental crown can also be used to repair a damaged tooth or support a traditional dental bridge to replace missing teeth. A crown is customized to look, feel, and function like your real teeth. Visit our office for dental crowns in Sharon, MA.
How and Why a Dental Crowns is Placed on a Dental Implant?
During the initial implant healing process of osseointegration, the dentist will use a temporary crown to protect the area for quick healing. If the implant is left uncovered, it would look and feel unnatural and uncomfortable. It can also cause difficulties and painful chewing. There’s also a risk of food debris getting trapped around the implant, which can lead to infections.
Once an implant post has fused with the jawbone completely, the dentist will place a permanent dental crown. A crown acts like an artificial tooth that protects and strengthens the implant (artificial tooth roots).
Prior to placing a dental crown, you’ll need at least two appointments. During these sessions, the dentist will examine if your gums and bone are healing as expected. They will also take impressions of your bite to prepare the customized permanent crown.
You might also need a minor procedure of installing an abutment, which connects the dental implant and the outer crown. You’ll need about two weeks to heal. Lastly, the dentist will place a permanent crown over the implant.
Since the dental implant is supported by the jawbone, it provides excellent strength and stability. Once the permanent crown is placed, the implant feels, looks, and functions like your natural teeth. In fact, it will be impossible for others to tell it’s not your natural tooth.
While the implant post can last for a lifetime, the outer crown is less durable and might need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years or so. Your dentist will always examine your dental restorations for damages during routine check-ups.
Besides dental crowns, implants can be used with dental bridges and dentures, especially if you’re missing several teeth. Consult our dentist for an exam to determine which restoration suits your condition the best.
How to take care of your oral health around dental implants or crown?
Once the dental implant crown is placed over the implant, you should treat it like your natural tooth. Like your natural tooth, the crown can break, chip, or fall out when exposed to extreme pressure.
Similarly, while a dental implant won’t develop cavities like your natural teeth, poor oral hygiene can lead to an infection around the implant (peri-implantitis), which can lead to implant failure and other complications.
To care for your new implant and your mouth, keep in mind the following tips:
- Brush and floss daily
- Avoid tobacco products
- Avoid abrasive dental products
- Use fluoride-based toothpaste
- Avoid chewing hard items like ice, nails, or pens
- Eat healthier and always keep hydrated
- Schedule routine dental cleanings and check-ups
If by any chance you are looking to put a dental crown over an implant? or even if you are searching “dental implants near me” in Brookline, MA? We recommend you to visit Dental Partners of Brookline. They have some of the best staff and dental office with decent reviews!