When your teeth are damaged or decayed, it can have an impact on your smile and your confidence. Restorative dental procedures can help you get your smile back. Two of the most popular restorative procedures are dental crowns and dental implants.
Dr. Arianna Rodriguez and the team at Delight Dental Smiles enjoy helping their patients with smile restoration. We understand the importance of your smile and will work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your needs, expectations, and budget.
Both of these procedures come with their advantages and considerations. It is very important to understand the difference between the two so that you can make an informed decision. This article explains what you need to know about dental crowns vs dental implants.
What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown, commonly referred to as a cap, is a custom-fitted, tooth-shaped covering that is placed on a damaged or weakened tooth. This protects the tooth from additional damage while also restoring the strength, appearance, shape, and size of the tooth. A crown can be made from porcelain, composite resin, metal, or porcelain-fused-to-metal.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are designed to replace a missing tooth. This device is made of three components:
- Implant screw/rod that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace the tooth roots
- The crown that sits on top of the gum to replace the visible portion of the tooth
- Abutment to secure the crown to the implant screw/rod
Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, providing exceptional functionality and stability.
Factors to Consider When Choosing
There are several factors to consider when deciding between a dental crown or a dental implant, including:
Condition of the tooth
A dental crown is designed to restore a damaged/weakened tooth, while a dental implant is designed to replace a missing tooth.
Longevity
A dental implant is designed to be a permanent solution that will last a lifetime with proper care. A dental crown, on the other hand, often has to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years.
Condition of neighboring teeth
A dental crown often requires some enamel to be removed from neighboring teeth to create space for it. Dental implant placement, however, requires no impact on the neighboring teeth.
Aesthetic Concerns
Both dental implants and dental crowns can be fabricated to closely resemble natural teeth.
Crowns vs Implants
| Dental Crowns | Dental Implants |
| Designed to restore/strengthen a damaged/weak tooth. | Designed to replace a missing tooth. |
| Some reduction of neighboring teeth may be necessary. | No impact on neighboring teeth. |
| Designed to last an average of 10 to 15 years, may last up to 20 with proper care and maintenance. | Designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. |
| Can be fabricated to look natural. | Can be fabricated to look natural. |
| No impact on jawbone health. | Stimulates jawbone to prevent deterioration. |
Costs and Insurance
As a general rule, a dental crown is much more affordable than a dental implant, which is why Dr. Rodriguez and the team always strive to salvage the natural tooth. However, in some cases, the only option is to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant.
Costs vary based on the location of the tooth, the materials the restoration is made from, the experience/expertise of the dental team, the location of the clinic, and a few other factors. In most cases, dental insurance will cover a portion of the treatment.
Making Your Decision
The best way to decide which is more suitable for you is to consider your personal needs and expectations, as well as the advice from your dentist. Another consideration should be your budget and insurance coverage. Dr. Rodriguez and the team will be glad to work with you to help you decide.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are interested in learning more about restorative dental procedures at Delight Dental Smiles, schedule your consultation today. In addition to dental crowns and implants, we offer a variety of general, restorative, and cosmetic procedures.
Crowns vs. Implants FAQs
Dr. Rodriguez and the team at Delight Dental Smiles believe that it’s important for their patients to fully understand their procedures. Therefore, we are happy to address your questions and/or concerns. Below are a few of the most common things that have been brought up.
What lasts longer, crowns or implants?
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. A dental crown, on the other hand, typically has to be replaced every 10 to 15 years- but can last up to 20 with proper care and maintenance.
Can you have an implant without a crown?
Yes, it is possible to get a dental implant without a crown. However, dental experts highly recommend getting a crown to improve appearance and function.
Who should not get dental implants?
Dental implants are safe for most patients. However, there are a few factors that could impact a patient’s suitability for dental implants including inadequate bone density, uncontrolled medical conditions, poor oral health and hygiene practices, and unrealistic expectations.
What can go wrong with dental implants?
When you choose to use an experienced dental implantologist, the success rate is high and the risks are low for dental implants. However, the complications that may occur include nerve damage, sinus issues, infection, and implant failure.
What hurts more, tooth extraction or implant?
Pain tolerance varies from one patient to another. However, dental implant surgery is more invasive and requires a longer recovery period than tooth extraction. Most patients agree that dental implant surgery is more painful than tooth extraction. However, advancements in dental technology and anesthesia have helped with pain management.
