When a tooth is cracked, decayed, or damaged, a crown may need to be fitted onto the tooth. A crown is a permanent covering that fits over the original tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold and other metals, acrylic resin, or an amalgam (a mix) of these materials. A dental crown looks like a tooth above the gumline. It does not extend below the gums or anchor itself independently in place. Instead, it is placed over a tooth being restored, such as a tooth that has had a root canal, very large fracture, or severe tooth decay.

Dental crowns can also be placed directly on top of dental implant abutments, to replace single missing teeth. While the dental crown is not part of the dental implant, it is an essential part of the patient’s treatment. One without the other would leave the patient still without a tooth!

A crown placed with help of a dental implant can be an effective solution to replace a single missing tooth. When more than one tooth is missing implant used in combination with a dental bridge or dentures can be an effective solution.

A dental implant when integrated into your bone, acts as a new “root” for the crown that will replace your missing tooth. A crown (cap), which is made to look like a natural tooth, is attached to the implant and fills the space left in the mouth by the missing tooth.

Unlike traditional crown and bridge treatment – which involves removal of significant tooth structure from adjacent teeth – an implant-supported crown or bridge is a stand-alone replacement that can be delivered without the preparation of surrounding teeth.

An implant-supported crown is the closest thing to natural teeth. The greatest benefit of an implant-supported crown is that it replaces not only the tooth but also the root of the tooth. As such, it continues to promote the growth of healthy jaw bone tissue. A dental implant also offers the most secure fit and can last for a patient’s lifetime (although the dental crown may require replacement).

When you visit Lovesmile, we will discuss what your primary smile concerns are and give you recommendations to meet those concerns. For instance, if you are only missing one or two teeth, we may recommend individual dental implants with a fixed dental crown on top of each implant. Multiple teeth may need a fixed bridge or full arch. Contact Lovesmile today to find out more!