Dental Crowns vs. Dental Implants?

The choice on whether to get a dental implant or crown depends on your specific dental need, preference and budget. Both options are done to replace a missing tooth or teeth. A dental implant requires attaching a brand new tooth or teeth directly to the jawbone. Meanwhile, a dental crown or bridge utilizes the natural teeth as support.

The facts about dental crowns

Crowns are made of either ceramic or porcelain. These are fitted over the existing tooth or teeth. At times, dental crowns are placed on teeth that are badly decayed. In the case of a missing tooth, a fixed bridge is applied in order to fill the gap. The process starts by grounding down any remaining good teeth found on the gap’s sides.

This is done to allow crowns to be placed atop them. The two crowns can then be seen on the bridge’s opposite ends, while the replacement tooth or teeth sits at the center of the bridge. In the end, the bridge is cemented permanently on the natural teeth.

The facts about dental implants

Dental implants are prosthetic roots made from titanium. Implants are named as such due to the process involved in placing them into the jawbone. The procedure involves surgically placing small screws or blade, and titanium cylinder. Afterwhich, a crown is then attached to the implant. The crown eventually functions as a tooth.

The implants used are body-compatible and will directly attach to the jawbone’s cells through time via the osseointegration process. Once these implants are fused securely onto the bone, the dentist will begin attaching a prosthetic tooth atop the implant.

Which is better?

Crowns are usually included in bridgework and are done for the purpose of dental restoration. The following are the benefits of having dental crowns:

Stable chewing and speaking compared to removable partial dentures
They appear similar to real teeth
Prevents teeth from moving out of position
Helps align teeth and preserve its bite
They can be cleaned the same way as real teeth (no denture-soaking necessary)
Less expensive compared to implants

Meanwhile, dental implants are better options for some people due to the following benefits:

They last longer (25 years) compared to bridgework
Compared to crowns, they appear more natural-looking as if they are real teeth
They function like real teeth
Grounding down existing tooth or teeth is not necessary when placing implants as they do not depend on the nearby teeth for support
They are more permanent and easy to clean as if they are natural teeth (no denture-soaking necessary)
They don’t slip or shift
Chewing and speaking is easy
They help maintain the face’s bone structure and natural contour

Which is worse?

Though crowns offer benefits, they also have the following disadvantages:

Crowns need to be regularly replaced after a few years
The bone tissue under the bridge and crown could reposition and make it less durable
The teeth surrounding the crown could weaken over time and be prone to decay
Gum recession could occur from the margin of the crown
Natural teeth colour could change and not match the crown
Possibility of porcelain to fracture

Meanwhile, dental implants have the following disadvantages:

The surgical process lasts longer compared to crowns
Implants take more time to heal
Cost-wise, implants are more expensive and may not be covered by insurance
Complications could occur within a 16-year period after its placement

Conclusion

All in all, dentists will first need to check your general physical and oral health before they will recommend the procedure that suits your dental needs. Not everyone would require a crown the same way that not everyone might need an implant. At times, chronic diseases such as diabetes, or a habit such as smoking, could halt proper healing. These factors could influence the type of procedure that will be recommended to you by a dentist.

A healthy body, and thereby healthy gums and jawbones, are necessary to make the placements of either implants or crowns successful. Make sure you know the pros and cons of each option before you make your final dental decision.