Tooth loss can adversely affect your quality of life. The essential functions like eating, speaking, and smiling can become difficult with tooth loss. When you have a single missing tooth, a crown supported by an implant can reinstate the aesthetics of your smile besides providing enhanced support and stability. These restorations not only appear and feel natural, but they also stimulate jawbone regeneration at the site of a missing tooth.
What Is A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that is surgically positioned into the jaw to replace missing teeth. Once the implant has fused to the jaw bone, it can then be used to support a custom restoration like a dental crown or bridge to improve the appearance and functionality of a smile. The result is a natural-looking replacement that functions and looks just like your real tooth. Dental implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.
What Is an Implant Crown?
An implant-supported crown is designed to replace an entire tooth from root to crown. This appliance is supported by a dental implant, which is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Dental implants extend a solid and firm foundation for a customized crown. In addition, they serve as prosthetic tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone every time you bite down. This process helps to offset bone degeneration and promote jawbone growth. While dental crowns can be replaced in the future, dental implants are planned to offer a lifetime of support.
Who Is a Candidate For Implant Crowns?
A patient may be a suitable candidate for an implant crown if:
- They have missing teeth
- They are in robust dental health and free from gum disease
- They want a permanent tooth replacement option
- They do not smoke
- They have a solid and stable jawbone structure
Process of Implant Crowns
Our dentist may take X-rays and scans during the preliminary consultation to assess your smile and determine your suitability for the procedure. If you meet all the criteria, we will proceed with dental implant surgery.
The process is begun by numbing your gums with local anesthesia. Once you are comfortable, we will make a small incision in your gums, and the dental implants will be placed. The incision is sealed with sutures.
Over the course of the next few months, the dental implants will graft with your jawbone in a scientific process called osseointegration. Once the implant area has appropriately healed, and the fusion is complete, you can return to our office for the placement of the abutments. The abutments will help connect the implant to the crown.
The dental crowns will be fabricated after taking impressions of your smile. The customized crown will be color-matched with your existing natural teeth.
Once your restoration is ready, we will check it against your bite to ensure its correct fit. If necessary, the adjustments are carried out before securing the crown over the implant, giving you a confident and flawless smile.
To learn more about our implant crown options, visit our office, Down To Earth Dental, at 1407 W. 29th Street Pueblo, CO 81008. You can also reach Dentist Pueblo, CO at (719) 546-0404 and schedule an appointment.
