Dental Implant Crown
If you have undergone dental implant surgery, dental implant crown placement is the next stage. The dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo is the expert when it comes to crown placement. The crown sits on the implant, and both work together to give a dental restoration that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
What Are Implant Crowns?
An implant is an artificial tooth that is fixed to the jaw or cheekbone, which gives it the hardiness and durability of a regular tooth. The implant connects to the bone through a process called osseointegration, which means new bone cells grow around the screw-like “post” and keep the crown secure. Once the implant is healed the oral surgeon will place the abutment. Then you will go see the dentist at Brady Dental Group to have a crown placed on the implant. The abutment is designed to provide the strength to support the implant and to bear the forces of one’s bite.
Dental implant crown placement
Dental crowns are made in a dental laboratory. The laboratory technicians will use impressions provided by the dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo to create a dental crown that fits securely on the implant and covers the gap created by the lost tooth. Crown placement is done in a two step dental appointment process, your first visit to Brady Dental will be to take an impression of the implant. That impression is then sent to the lab where the lab will make your crown, this step usually takes about 2-3 weeks. Then you will come back to Brady Dental Group and have that crown seated.
How do I care for my dental implant crown?
Patients with Brady Dental of Amarillo are provided with personalized instructions for their dental implant crown care. Dental implant crowns often have their edges going slightly underneath the gum line, just like crowns placed on natural teeth. Certain types of dental cement take hours to set, so the dentist at Brady Dental might discourage using the dental crown for at least a day. The dentist will also advise the patient to check their bite the following day when the cement has hardened fully and the numbness is gone. If the bite feels out of place, the patient needs to contact the dentist.
Taking off the temporary crown
If a temporary crown is needed, before the laboratory completes the fabrication of the permanent crown, the dentist will attach a temporary crown to the dental implant. The temporary crown needs to be removed before placing the permanent crown. The dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo can administer local anesthesia to numb the patient before removing the temporary crown, but this is not always necessary. The dentist will remove the crown and all traces of dental cement from the gum before locking the permanent crown into place.
Checking the fit of the dental crown
Before cementing or screw retaining the implant crown permanently, the dentist will check if the new crown fits properly. They will place the crown on the tooth without cementing or screwing it. At this stage, the dentist may floss between the existing teeth and the new crown and ask the patient to bite down on carbon paper to examine the bite alignment. Adjustments may need to be made.
Types Of Crowns For Implants
There are several types of crowns for implants. Solid crowns are considered the gold standard and provide a great combination of aesthetics because the crown is the same white hue all the way through and strength that is desirable. Zirconia crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, Emax, gold, and acrylic/composite resin crowns are some of the most popular types of crowns for implants. Ask the experts at Brady Dental of Amarillo which type is best for you.
Placing the permanent crown
The dentist will seal the implant crown permanently. If the cement technique is used, they will put dental cement inside the dental crown and place it over the implant. The patient will have to wait a few minutes for the cement to set. Any excess cement will be cleaned out, and the dentist will recheck the bite. If the screw retained mechanism is used, the dentist will simply screw the dental crown over the abutment until it is firmly in place and fill the screw access with composite material. Unlike a cement-retained dental crown, screwed-in crowns are easily removable for repair if needed at Brady Dental of Amarillo.
Book Your Appointment Now
Getting dental implant crowns is a choice. Knowing what to expect can help you be adequately prepared. Call the dentist at Brady Dental of Amarillo for a consultation today. Your smile is worth it.
