Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester Implant Crowns
Implant-Supported Dental Crowns
What is an implant crown?
When a tooth is missing and the teeth next to it are healthy and in good form and shape, the missing tooth can be replaced with an implant-supported dental crown. The dental implant replaces the root of your tooth and a crown is then placed over the implant. This crown is the visible tooth over the gum. There are different ways of replacing a missing tooth. An implant-supported crown is just one way of doing so. In recent years, implant crowns have become an extremely popular way of replacing a missing tooth.​
Two Types of Implant-Supported Crowns
There are two types of implant-supported dental crowns: screw-retained and cement-retained. When choosing which type of implant crowns are best for your situation, several factors such as retrievability, location, esthetics, and preferences are considered.
To assist you in understanding which type of implant crown will serve you better, we have listed a brief description of both types with several advantages and disadvantages for each. Dr. Kuyunov will discuss your options with you and offer his recommendation. Both cement and screw-retained implant crowns require maintenance, such as professional hygiene, tightening the screws, or recementation of a crown.
1. Cement-Retained Implant Crowns
Cement-retained implant crowns are attached above the abutment. Dental cement is used to keep the prosthetic crown attached to the abutment.
Advantages: The single greatest advantage to the patient lies in its appearance, which in some cases be more esthetically pleasing than a screw-retained implant crown. This is why they are intended for the front region of the mouth.
Disadvantages: The major downside of a cement-retained implant-supported crown is difficulty in removing it (for whatever reason) if it needs to be removed. In the process of removing it, it may be damaged. One way of removing it, is by creating an access to the screw that attaches the abutment to the implant. This access needs to be drilled through the crown. If the crown is damaged due to no fault of the dentist, a new one will need to be made, which includes the impression process and all the steps needed that are associated with starting from scratch. If the crown is damaged due to no fault on the dentist’s or technician’s part, the financial costs of fabricating the new crown will be incurred by the patient.
2. Screw-Retained Implant Crowns
A screw-retained implant crown consists of a lingual and occlusal screw. The crown is designed with a hole on the side of the occlusal or lingual portion of the device which makes it possible to connect the crown to the implant with a fixation screw attached to the outer-facing end of the abutment.
Advantages: The greatest advantage of choosing a screw-retained crown is that it can be removed when the need arises, such as to be repaired in the event of any damage, or if further tooth loss occurs and a more extensive tooth restoration is necessary. Another advantage is that gingival inflammation or peri implantitis is easier to treat since the crown can easily be screwed off providing easy access to the surface that needs to be treated. A screw-retained implant crown also allows for a more thorough professional cleaning because it is removable.
Disadvantages: A drawback of screw-retained implant crown is esthetics. When using this method, the screw access hole can be visible. This is why they are often used to replace teeth in the back of the mouth.
Dental Implant Crowns Process
An implant crown procedure can be scheduled when a tooth is missing or when it is determined that it needs to be extracted. Early awareness of a tooth that requires removal is advantageous, as the success of implant treatments can be greatly enhanced through effective planning and timing.
​​​​Step 2 – Surgical Implant Placement: You will be provided with information on how to prepare for this surgical step. Implant placement surgery is often done under local anesthesia. Our team will ensure that you are completely comfortable and as pain-free as possible during the procedure. Pain medication and antibiotics may be offered to you to take prior to the surgery. In terms of what to expect, you can think about implant placement as the reverse of tooth extraction. An implant will be placed in the bone where the root of a tooth was. The gums will heal over it.
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Bone Augmentation: If there is not enough bone to hold the implant, a bone augmentation will be offered to you. This is a separate procedure that is performed prior to implant placement. The goal of bone augmentation is to create the minimum dimension of bone needed to house the dental implant. The implant can then be placed 4-6 months later.​
​Step 1 – Initial Assessment: First, Dr. Kuyunov will meet with you to discuss your goals and desires, review your medical history, check the condition of your mouth, and assess space availability for the implant crown. He will discuss with you the options available for you to replace your missing tooth, with indications and contra-indications for each option. He will answer any of your questions and let you know if he feels that an implant-supported crown is a good option for you.
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During this visit, a Cone Beam CT (CBCT) will be taken. This radiographic imaging will show a three-dimensional picture of your oral structures. Based on CBCT, Dr. Kuyunov can see if the implant can be placed directly, or if bone augmentation is needed prior to the implant placement.
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Step 3 – Healing Time: After implant placement there will be a healing time. The first two to four weeks are when the soft tissues heal, at which stage the sensitivity should be significantly decreased. For the next two months, the healing takes place mostly in the deeper levels within the bone. Here, the bone grows into the implant and attaches tightly to it. This bone-to-implant attachment, called osseointegration, often happens by the end of the third month.
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Step 4 – Impressions of the Implant: Once it is determined the implant is fully healed, an impression will be taken. This impression will be used to duplicate the exact implant position and orientation in your mouth in the lab settings. The implant crown can now be designed and prepared in the lab. The implant crown has two parts; an abutment and an abutment-supported crown. The abutment is the direct connection to the implant. The tooth-shaped crown is then seated over this abutment. Both the abutment and crown are custom-made for you and can only fit your specific implant. Both the abutment and the crown can come as one unit, or sometimes will come as two separate units.
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Step 5– Installation and Adjustments: The implant crown and its abutment will be tried-in and verified for fit to ensure it provides proper bite, feel, and esthetics. Any adjustment that needs to be made will be done during this visit. Then, the implant crown will be seated over the implant and attached to it. A final radiographic x-ray will be taken to verify proper fit.​​
Who is a good candidate for an implant crown?
Although there are other effective tooth replacement options such as partial dentures, or a conventional dental bridge, many patients prefer implant-supported crowns due to the cosmetic, function, and oral health benefits they provide. Here are several scenarios that will help you decide if you are a good candidate for implant crowns:​
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You wish to replace missing teeth, which may have been lost or extracted for a variety of reasons. Implant crowns require the neighboring teeth to be healthy.
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If you have a broken, damaged, or severely decayed tooth, many dentists recommend removing the tooth in question and replacing it with an implant-supported dental crown, which is a more permanent solution.
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You are looking to improve the function of your teeth. Missing teeth can hinder chewing, thus limiting you from enjoying a wide variety of healthy foods.
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You have lost confidence when you smile, which can be caused by having missing teeth.
If you are unsure whether you are a good candidate for an implant-supported dental crown, contact us and we will be happy to answer any of your questions. ​
Benefits of Implant-Supported Crowns
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Bone Loss Prevention – Implant crowns help prevent bone loss in the jaw, which can occur when a tooth is lost or extracted. An implant-supported dental crown prevents bone loss through the osseointegration process, which happens when the implant fuses with the jawbone and mimics the stimulation that a natural tooth root provides.
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Preserves Architecture and Position of Surrounding Teeth – An implant-supported dental crown preserves the architecture and position of your surrounding teeth and keeps them stable. When a tooth is missing, other teeth may start to shift due to the created missing space. This can result in unhealthy biting function. Tilted teeth can also create gum disease due to the unhygienic orientation of teeth after tooth movement occurs.
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Surrounding Teeth Maintain their Integrity – When you choose to have an implant-supported crown, other teeth remain untouched and intact. The most common alternative to an implant crown is to have a conventional tooth-retained bridge which requires the neighboring teeth to be filed and thinned out to retain the bridge. With an implant crown, your other teeth are unaltered, thus keeping their integrity.
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Durable and Long-Lasting Solution for Missing Teeth – Implant crowns are a long-lasting solution. Of course, proper care and good oral hygiene are essential to prolonging the life of implant crowns after placement.
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Smile with More Confidence – An Implant-supported crown can give you a more attractive smile. When you have missing teeth, many patients are less likely to smile. An implant crown will provide you with a close-to-natural looking replacement for your missing tooth, allowing you to smile with confidence.
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If you are considering implant crowns in Rochester, NY, Dr. Isaac Kuyunov will perform a complete and careful examination of your jaw, teeth, mouth, and overall health to determine if dental implants are the best solution for your situation.
If you are ready to learn more, Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester, NY, implant crown experts, can help you regain the confidence and function of a full smile you envision. To schedule a personalized, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Isaac Kuyunov, call us today at 585-471-5689 or email us by using our contact form link below to make that appointment!
