When you have missing or damaged teeth, your ability to smile confidently or chew food properly gets compromised. You can fix your smile with dentures or veneers. However, to reinstate your ability to chew food, the best remedy is a crown.
Nonetheless, you have the option of two types of crowns, namely implant crowns or regular dental crowns (caps). Generally, a dentist will recommend the appropriate type of crown to use. However, the type of crown most suitable for you will depend on several factors, such as your dental condition, finances, and long-term plans.
Thus, before deciding which type of crown to opt for, it is advisable to consider what each option entails. With that said, here are three factors that will determine which type of crown is suitable for you.
Dental Condition
Typically, if you have a missing tooth, you need to get a dental implant installed before getting an implant crown. Thus, implant crowns get installed on top of a dental implant to provide the appearance of a tooth and enable you to chew food properly.
On the other hand, if you have a damaged tooth that is salvageable, a dentist may recommend a dental crown. Common signs you need a dental crown include:
Nonetheless, if your tooth is too severely damaged, a dental crown will not be applicable because, in most cases, the dentist will opt for removing the tooth. However, after the tooth gets removed, you can opt for a dental implant installation in order to get an implant crown.
Costs
If you have a salvageable tooth, you also have the option of forgoing a regular dental crown and getting an implant crown. In such a situation, you can ask the dentist to remove the damaged tooth and get a dental implant in its place. However, that taking this route will cost you more money than opting for a regular dental crown.
Typically, dental implant crowns are more expensive than regular dental crowns/caps. The reason implant crowns are more expensive is that you will need first to get a dental implant installed. On average, a dental implant will cost you between $3000 and $4500, including the implant crown. On the other hand, regular dental crowns/caps are significantly less expensive, usually costing a patient between $1000 and $3500 depending on the type of dental crown you get.
However, dental implant crowns are more durable than regular dental crowns. Thus, if your finances allow you to opt for the more expensive dental implant crown, it is highly recommended to go with this option instead.
Durability
As previously mentioned, dental implant crowns last longer than regular dental crowns. The main reason for the durability disparity is that dental crowns get fixed on to a damaged tooth using adhesive. After some time, the adhesive is likely to wear off, thus causing the dental crown to fall off from time to time. As a result, most people with regular dental crowns often have to visit a dental office to get their dental crowns reinstalled.
However, implant crowns get screwed in place on top of the dental implant. As a result, they are more stable, and the chances of a dental implant crown falling off are minimal. Therefore, unless a dental implant crown gets knocked off by brute force or trauma, it will remain in place for a lifetime. However, regular dental crowns are also prone to fall off due to chewing habits or chewing hard edibles.
Thus, if you are looking for a more permanent solution, a dental implant crown is your best bet. To learn more about dental crown implants, contact a dentist.
Share8 November 2021
When the bottled water craze began, I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else who was drinking water from bottles instead of from the tap. I wasn't sure why bottled water was healthier, but I liked the taste. When I went for my next dental check-up, I had my first cavity in a while, so I had it filled and didn't think much of it. Well, I had two more during my next check-up after that, and I began trying to think of why my teeth were suddenly going bad. The only change in my habits was the switch to bottled water, so I made the switch back to tap water and my teeth began to improve. I created this blog to encourage others who have begun getting cavities suddenly to look into their changes in habits. They may find they made a change similar to mine.