The Difference Between a Regular Crown and an Implant Crown

Going by the name alone, you might assume that an implant-retained crown in Plano isn’t that much different from a traditional crown. To a certain extent, this is true; both involve a special cap that is designed to look like a tooth and blend in with the rest of the natural smile. However, the function of an implant-retained crown is very different from that of a traditional crown, and they aren’t necessarily interchangeable. In this post, you’ll learn what the difference between the two types of crowns is and why your dentist might recommend one over the other.

Traditional Crowns VS. Implant-Retained Crowns

Traditionally, crowns are attached directly to a natural tooth via a special cement. They’re typically used to strengthen and protect damaged teeth, but they might also be placed for cosmetic reasons. Implant-retained crowns, on the other hand, rest on titanium dental implant posts that have been inserted into the jaw. They’re used to replace teeth that have been knocked out or extracted.

Which Crown Will Your Dentist Recommend?

Obviously, there’s a pretty significant difference between a restoration that’s meant to repair or protect a tooth and one that is supposed to replace it altogether. As such, the kind of dental crown in Plano that your dentist recommends will depend on your situation.

• You’ll probably get a regular dental crown if you have a tooth that is broken, decayed, or otherwise weakened, but not to the point where it’s unsalvageable.
• On the other hand, an implant-retained crown will be recommended if a tooth has either been lost altogether or is so badly damaged that a regular crown is no longer viable.

Your dentist will carefully consider your situation before recommending any type of dental restoration. Regular crowns might be used in a variety of cases, but an implant-retained crown will be reserved only for situations where a tooth replacement is absolutely necessary.

What are the Signs That You Need a Dental Crown?

It will be up to your dentist to decide whether you need a crown or not, but there are some warning signs that could tell you that you need to have dental work done in the near future. For example:

• You might be suffering from a toothache that could point to advanced decay.
• You might notice that your tooth has become badly broken or fractured.
• You have a misshapen or stained tooth that you’d like to improve the appearance of.

No matter if your crown is attached to a dental implant or a real tooth, you can be sure that it will help you maintain your quality of life by allowing you to smile and chew without fear of embarrassment or the risk of damaging your oral health further. Schedule a consultation today to see if the time has come to get a dental crown of your own.

About the Author

Dr. Andrew Kung believes that the best part about dentistry is getting to work with people and showing them the transforming power that a smile can have on their life. He has obtained a fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and he is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists as well as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In other words, he is a recognized expert when it comes to repairing and replacing teeth. You can schedule a consultation to ask about dental crowns at his practice, Vitality Dental – Dentist Plano, by visiting his website or calling (972) 640-6494.