If you’re searching for a lasting dental restoration option, implant crowns are a wonderful solution. Through his self-named practice, cosmetic and family dentistry specialist W. Paul Burns, DDS, creates beautiful and durable implant crowns for residents of El Dorado, Arkansas. Call or click today to schedule a personalized consultation to learn more.
An implant crown is a type of dental restoration that completely replaces a missing tooth. Traditional dental crowns are tooth-shaped artificial “caps” that cover all visible sides of a tooth. They sit on a portion of your natural tooth tissue, and the root of the tooth remains in place.
Implant crowns replace the entire tooth structure, including the root. A metal post replaces the root, and an artificial crown replaces the visible structure of the tooth.
Replacing a damaged or missing tooth helps preserve your bone health. Implant crowns also help you eat and speak normally, not to mention the aesthetic improvements that come with filling a gap in your smile.
In order for your dentist to place an implant crown, you must have sufficient bone tissue to anchor the post portion of the implant. If your bone is not dense enough, bone grafting may be an option to build up the area prior to moving forward with an implant.
It’s also important to be in good overall health before having an implant crown procedure. Implant crowns require oral surgery to place the post within your bone tissue. Chronic health issues, like diabetes and other conditions, can interfere with your body’s ability to heal properly.
At your initial consultation, your dentist goes over the best options suited for your needs. If implant crowns are a good fit, you learn more about what to expect from the procedure and recovery process.
Implant crowns are a lasting restoration, but that doesn’t mean you won’t eventually need to have the crown portion of the implant repaired or replaced. The implanted post usually lasts a lifetime, but because wear-and-tear can happen to crowns, they can break.
To reduce the chances of damaging your implant crown, be careful with putting undue pressure on your restoration. Don’t chew or bite down on hard foods like ice, or use your teeth to open packages.
You should also maintain a solid oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss thoroughly, removing all food particles and plaque from your teeth. Your successful implant crown treatment relies on healthy gum tissue for success.
If you have additional questions or concerns about implant crowns or other restoration options, call W. Paul Burns, DDS, today to schedule a visit or book online.