Dental Crowns vs. Implants: What’s the Difference?

Medical terms can be confusing, and dentistry isn’t an exception. Many patients often mix up terms like implants or dental crowns in Columbus, especially because these two procedures are related.  

However, each treatment is used to solve specific issues and has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. Here's a small comparison to help you understand restorative dentistry better and make a knowledgeable decision the next time you’re in the dentist’s office.  

How are Dental Crowns and Implants Different?

A dental crown is an overlay that covers a tooth, while implants replace the entire tooth. This is achieved with a titanium post that acts as the tooth’s root and a crown that fits on top.

People most likely consider crowns and dental implants interchangeable because of the way their structures are constructed. The crown section of an implant functions the same way as a crown used independently.

Both are made of different materials to resemble real teeth in appearance and feel. However, a traditional dental crown fits onto the natural tooth, whereas the crown of an implant is attached to a post and abutment.

What Are Crowns and How Are They Effective?

Dental crowns function as complete covers for damaged or weak teeth, restoring their strength, size, form, and appearance. Think of dental crowns as protective caps for your teeth. They are designed to mimic the appearance and feel of your real teeth using materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal.  

Crowns can be used for various purposes, such as guarding a broken or worn-down tooth, covering a tooth with a large filling, or holding a dental bridge in place.

Overall, crowns are usually required when a tooth is broken or cracked or when a large cavity endangers its health. Crowns can also cover teeth with significant discoloration.

What Is the Process of Getting Crowns Like?

Making educated decisions and being prepared for a procedure are made easier when you know what to anticipate. There are four steps involved in the crown placement process that you need to know:

1. The tooth is shaped and filed down to make room for the crown. The extra space is needed for the cap to prevent discomfort and other issues with the surrounding teeth.
2. The dentist takes an impression of the prepared tooth and its neighboring teeth to make a custom-fit crown.
3. While the permanent crown is being made, a temporary one is placed to protect the eroded tooth.
4. The dentist removes the temporary crown and makes sure the new one fits properly and matches in color when the permanent crown is ready.  If everything looks okay, the crown is fixed into position.

What Are the Possible Downsides of Dental Crowns?

One of the most crucial aspects of crowns is making sure they precisely match the tooth's size and color. If not, crowns will become a major catastrophe, making eating and biting extremely challenging.

A mismatched crown will not last as long, can cause increased tooth sensitivity, and can leave the tooth more prone to cavities. In fact, patients with crowns need to be very dedicated to maintaining good oral hygiene, as cavities can still develop in the tooth beneath.

What Are Dental Implants and What Are They Used for?

If an entire tooth is missing or the decay has damaged it so badly that it affected its structure, an implant restoration may be the only choice. Implants are inserted into your jawbone to imitate a natural tooth’s structure.

As a result, it offers a solid and sturdy basis for dental restorations. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime. Additionally, you can place an implant without having to have your neighboring teeth extracted and reshaped.  

When a tooth is lost, a space is left in the jaw where the root of the tooth used to be. Over time, this space can result in bone degradation and affect neighboring teeth. Dental implants prevent this because the abutment acts as a replacement root.  

Moreover, various types of implants can be used to restore a single tooth or even an entire denture.

What to Expect During a Dental Implant Surgery?

The procedures below are carried out by your dentist when you visit them to place dental implants. These are all the steps for treatment:

1. The dentist first gives you a shot of local anesthetic or sedation to ensure you will not feel the pain.
2. The implant is then inserted into the jawbone, filling in the space left by your lost tooth.
3. The gum over the implant is sutured closed.
4. Following the procedure, it takes three to six months for the implant to meld with the jawbone. This period is called osseointegration.
5. After osseointegration is finished, the implant is connected to a small piece of hardware known as an abutment.
6. The gum tissue surrounding the abutment will heal for a few weeks. Only then can a permanent crown be attached to the abutment, successfully restoring the missing tooth.

What Are Negative Aspects of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are surgical procedures, so infections are always possible, particularly for individuals who smoke frequently or have health issues like diabetes. Implant healing can also take longer than anticipated.  

Dental implants also have the drawback of requiring surgery, which deters many patients who would prefer to find a quick solution to their problems. However, implants remain one of the most effective ways to restore different types of tooth damage and are often worth the effort.

Which One Should I Use?

Still not sure which option is best for you? No worries! We have summarized all the information in the following section.  

• If you’ve completely lost one or two teeth, choose dental implants. Crowns are suitable for repairing teeth that are partly damaged or cracked while the root is healthy.  
• If you’re a bit low on the budget, choose crowns. Placing crowns costs way less than implants due to its less complex process and the time needed.  
• If you’re looking for a permanent solution, choose implants. In an ideal condition, crowns may last 10 to 15 years. However, most need to be replaced over time as they may show signs of wear or cracks.  

Don’t forget you can always get professional help from a dentist to decide better which solution is best for you. The dentist will examine your damaged teeth and check for any other problematic conditions. Then, they can offer you the right treatment, ensuring your teeth will restore their beauty and health.  

When Is an Implant the Only Solution?

A tooth extraction should only be the last resort to prevent jawbone loss. After being treated, the damage caused by most cavities can be resolved with a simple filling. If you have advanced decay, root canal therapy and a dental crown are often enough to strengthen the weakened tooth.

However, in some cases, severely infected teeth cannot be restored through traditional means like fillings, crowns, or root canal treatment. Then, surgical extraction is the only option. An implant is then suggested to restore the missing tooth without hindering the patient's chewing and speaking functions.

Learn More About Implants and Dental Crowns in Columbus

Thanks to advances in dentistry, losing part or an entire tooth is no longer an unsolvable issue. Depending on your health and lifestyle choices, restorative dentistry has many solutions for missing teeth, from long-lasting implants to simple dental crowns.

Some dentists are die-hard implant fans, willing to extract a tooth’s remains to place an abutment. Others are more inclined to restore all their teeth with crowns. The right choice will always depend on the patient and their unique circumstances.  

If you want to know which one applies to you, a professional at Spectrum Dental will be the best to gauge your situation. Reach out!

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