About 20% of people worldwide suffer trauma to their teeth at some point in their lives. If you recently lost a tooth, talk to your dentist. They might recommend crowns and implants.
Dental implants and crowns can restore the appearance of your smile. You’ll have an easier time chewing, digesting, and speaking, too.
Want to get the smile of your dreams? Renew your smile and confidence with cosmetic dentistry. Keep reading to learn more about these two effective procedures today.
What are Crowns?
Before you talk to your dentist about crowns and implants, let’s explore each one.
Dental crowns are caps that can cover a damaged tooth. They’re made using materials like metal and porcelain.
If you need a crown for a front or visible tooth, your dentist can make sure it matches the surrounding teeth. No one will realize you have a crown in place. If it’s positioned on a molar, the crown won’t show.
Talk to your cosmetic dentist about the dental crowns you can choose from. They might suggest different materials based on the durability you need.
Types of Dental Crowns
If your dentist decides you need dental surgery to repair a damaged tooth, you’ll need to discuss the different types of crowns. Crowns are made using:
- Metal
- Zirconia
- Composite resin
- Ceramic
Your dentist might use a combination of these materials, too. For example, they might decide to fuse a porcelain crown to metal.
They’ll also need to determine whether you need same day crowns, onlay crowns, or temporary crowns.
Same-day crowns are created at the dentist’s office during the day of your appointment. Onlay crowns are designed to cover only a portion of a tooth.
Temporary crowns, as the name suggests, are only designed for short-term use. Your dentist will place the crown over a tooth using adhesive. You might require a temporary crown if you’re waiting to receive a permanent crown.
The type of crown and materials used can vary depending on:
- The tooth’s location and function
- Amount of tooth that will show when you speak or smile
- Amount of natural tooth that remains
- Color of your surrounding teeth
- Position of your gum tissue
You can determine what type of dental crowns you’ll need during your consultation appointment.
Ideal Candidates
About 30% of young adults have untreated decay, making them ideal candidates for dental crowns. In fact, this age group has more untreated decay than any other group. Another 35% of young adults struggle with biting and chewing.
This age group might need dental crowns most. However, other patients are ideal candidates if their teeth are:
- Work out
- Cracked
- Weak
- Missing
You might also need a crown if you have a cavity that’s too big for a filling. Otherwise, your dentist might suggest this procedure if you need dental implants.
Benefits
Dental crowns can provide:
- Convenience
- Durability
- A natural-looking treatment option
- Improve oral health
- Fewer speech issues
- Improved comfort
- Easier time chewing
You can improve your smile and self-confidence, too.
You’ll need to take care of your crown. Make sure to brush and floss carefully. Choose a toothpaste that’s ideal for sensitive teeth.
If you grind your teeth at night, make sure to wear a mouthguard.
However, there are a few complications you might experience. For example, you could develop:
- An allergic reaction
- Sensitivity to hot or cold beverages or foods
- Gingivitis
You might even chip your own crown. Make sure to talk to your dentist before your appointment. They could help you avoid these complications.
What are Implants?
Talk to your dentist to determine if you need both dental crowns and implants. Make sure you understand what the process for dental implants entails.
Dental implants are prosthetics. They’re designed to replace missing teeth. Your dentist will place the implant within your jaw bone.
Over the next few months, a fusion process called osseointegration will occur. Osseointegration ensures the implant fuses with your jawbone. This ensures the implant can replace a missing tooth’s root.
Then, your dentist will use a bridge to maintain the new tooth’s placement.
Types of Dental Implants
There are two main types of dental implants that can improve your smile. These include subperiosteal and endosteal implants.
Subperiosteal implants rest on top of the jawbone. Endosteal implants are placed within the bone.
Your dentist might also suggest mini implants as a temporary solution. All-in-four implants can replace teeth connected in an arch, too.
Ideal Candidates
Patients need dental implants if they’re missing teeth. Otherwise, your surrounding teeth could move toward the gap. Your teeth might look crooked as a result.
Your dentist will need to determine if you’re healthy enough for oral surgery. They’ll need to make sure your gums are healthy, too.
Let your dentist know if you’re a heavy smoker or if you have liver or heart disease.
Benefits
One of the main benefits of dental implants is that they look and function like natural teeth. Friends and family members won’t realize you scheduled dental surgery. Instead, you can smile with renewed confidence.
Since they behave like natural teeth, you can chew and eat your favorite foods again. You won’t have to avoid certain foods. Chewing on certain foods when there’s a gap between your teeth might otherwise cause pain.
Dental implants can also keep your teeth stable.
Otherwise, the surrounding teeth can begin to migrate toward the gap. Your teeth might start to look crooked as a result.
If there’s a gap between your teeth, you might experience facial sagging and bone loss, too. Facial sagging can cause wrinkles. You can dodge the issue by requesting dental implants.
With both crowns and implants, you can restore your smile and overall oral health.
Otherwise, you could leave yourself at risk. You could develop further tooth decay or gum disease.
Instead, schedule a consultation appointment with your cosmetic dentist right away.
Crowns and Implants: Your Guide to a Stunning, Renewed Smile
Take the time to talk to your dentist about crowns and implants. They can determine if these treatment options are right for you. Then, you can improve your smile and boost your self-confidence.
Schedule a consultation appointment at your local dental surgery practice to discuss these options today.
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