Tooth loss and tooth decay are the two common dental issues which can cause toothache, visible holes in your teeth, pain whilst biting down, tooth sensitivity, teeth staining etc. Dental crowns and implants are the usual treatment options recommended. Both these procedures have different set of pros and cons. Having a clear idea about both will help you make an informed choice.
Talk to a dentist:
If you are facing tooth decay or loss and looking for a dentist Cypress TX. schedule an appointment with Orion Dental Specialties. They offer top-class dental services and are armed with a team of experienced dentists. They will assess your teeth condition, evaluate the level of damage using an X-ray and let you know which among crowns or implants work better for you.
Introduction to dental crown:
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps fitted over the teeth. With dental crowns, only the top part of the infected teeth is replaced whilst the root of the tooth remains untouched. Crowns help to restore the affected tooth to its originals shape and size. The material of the crown is tooth-colored so that it blends well with our natural teeth. Dentist may recommend crowns to:
- Support tooth with large filling
- Protect frail teeth from fracture
- Restore fracture teeth
- Conceal discolored and badly shaped teeth
Crowns prevent teeth from further decay, hold cracked tooth in place, provide support for damaged teeth and improve the appearance of the teeth. In order to fix a crown, the damaged teeth should be filled initially. Patients may also observe heightened sensitivity for a few days and there is a risk of chipping crown.
Introduction to dental implant:
Dental implants look almost like normal teeth in color, size and shape. Its three parts include abutment, titanium post and crown. The dentist takes the teeth impression and extracts the affected tooth if required. He/ she places the post deep into the jawbone and after a few months of healing, during a follow-up appointment the crown is placed over the abutment. They help to:
- Prevent bone loss
- Ensure the adjacent teeth are stable
- Keep gum diseases at bay
- Restore bite force.
However, the process is invasive and quite lengthy (about few months) and not to mention the health risks that come with surgery. The healing time may be longer too but the good news is that dental implants last for about 20 years.
Regardless of which treatment you opt for, continue following good oral practices. Brush your teeth using fluoride-based toothpaste at least twice a day and prevent bacteria buildup in the crown by flossing daily.
In terms of price, dental implants cost higher and won’t be covered by insurance while crowns cost comparatively much lower but in terms of durability, dental implants last longer. Crowns are mostly affixed for cosmetic reasons for stained and cracked teeth while when the whole tooth has to be replaced dental implants are fixed. Your family dentist will let you know the best course of action.