Crowns on implants – materials, procedure, prices

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Crowns on implants usually recreate part of a lost or broken tooth. Various materials are used in implantation, but some of them, such as porcelain, most faithfully reproduce the aesthetics of a natural tooth. What are crown implants and what materials are most often used in dentistry? What does the implantation procedure look like and how much do implant crowns cost?

Crowns on implants – a short description

Fixing crowns on implants is a popular method of recreating a single tooth or a group of teeth. In this method, the crown is connected to the implant, i.e. a titanium screw, using a standard or individual connector. Briefly speaking, in order to restore a lost tooth, you need 3 elements: an implant, an abutment and a crown. If a patient has single missing teeth, for each such gap there is one implant and a fused crown. The main purpose of fixing crowns on implants is to replace cavities in such a way that the patient does not feel the difference, either aesthetically or physically. Crowns on implants are a method that allows for the perfect reproduction of the primary tooth. The implantation procedure takes place under anesthesia and is completely painless for the patient. During the procedure, the patient is in constant contact with the dentist and can communicate any inconvenience or pain to him. The main advantage of treating dentition with a crown on implants is that there is no need to grind the patient’s teeth, which is a permanent and irreversible damage to the tooth enamel. In order to make a crown on an implant, it is necessary to wait 2 to 4 months after the implantation procedure until the tooth implant fuses with the bone. Only after this period, a crown can be placed on the implant, which means that the treatment time in this case is much longer than in the case of attaching mini-implants.

What is worth knowing about dental implants? Check: Dental implants – types, complications, contraindications

Crowns on implants – materials used in implantation

The material from which the implants are made is usually titanium or its alloy. It is important when looking for the right dentist’s office to find one that is distinguished by high professionalism. In many dental offices, low-quality titanium alloys are used, which negatively affects the durability and life of the implant. Titanium is a biocompatible material, which means that the human body does not treat it as a foreign body. As a result, there is only a small risk that the implant will be rejected or that an infection will occur. Due to the fact that the implant is always made of titanium, the choice of material only concerns the crown, which is placed on the implant. The choice concerns both the durability of the material and its color. The materials that are most often used for the production of crowns on implants include:

1. porcelain crowns on ceramics – these are crowns that have been used for over 10 years and are very popular. They are a proven and durable material. To further increase the durability of this material, special materials such as zirconium oxide are applied to the porcelain surface;
2. all-ceramic crowns – crowns made of 100% porcelain. Like the previous crowns, they are very durable and resemble natural teeth to the greatest extent. Most often they are used on the front teeth;
3. mixed nickel-free crowns – this type of crowns are made of porcelain only on the outer part. The rest of the crown is a mixture of metals but nickel-free. Nickel is an element belonging to the group of allergens and many people are allergic to this element;
4. porcelain crowns on gold – this is a better version of mixed crowns on metal, but they do not look as natural as 100% porcelain crowns;
5. porcelain crowns on cubic zirconia – this type of crowns are very aesthetic and the most durable. Additionally, under the porcelain, they contain a white base. At the same time, they are the most expensive of all the previously mentioned materials.

Find out about other types of dental implants. Read: Dental implants – types, prices, opinions

Crowns on implants – what does the procedure look like?

Fixing crowns on implants consists of two parts. In the first, the dentist puts on implants, while in the second, the dentist fixes crowns. The stages of fixing crowns on implants are as follows:

1. stage I: the dentist takes a panoramic photo of the teeth and decides on the treatment options and, if necessary, to indicate implantology. If the patient accepts the initial treatment plan, the dentist decides on further diagnostic tests, such as 3D computed tomography. When the dentist has a full set of tests, he begins to plan the type and placement of implants in the maxilla and mandible. This visit usually ends with an oral hygiene assessment and often a referral to a hygiene visit. Before starting implantation treatment, tartar should be removed from the teeth;
2. stage II: this is the right moment of implantation. Initially, the dentist performs local anesthesia. When the anesthesia starts working, the dentist cuts the mucosa at the site of the planned implant. Then he gently drills the bone with a very small diameter drill. He makes subsequent drillings with larger drills until he obtains a hole that fits the implant. The dentist then places the implant in the bone opening. It is very important to perfectly fit the implant to the drilled hole, as this will ensure stability for the crown;
3. stage III: after placing the implant in the bone, the dentist unscrews the so-called implant carrier. This is the part that allows the implant to be transferred to the patient’s mouth and implanted into the bone without touching the titanium surface. Then the dentist tightens the screw that protects the center of the implant against tissue ingrowth inside it. In some cases, additional treatments are needed, such as bone regeneration or lifting of the bottom of the maxillary sinus;
4. stage IV: the implant placement procedure ends with the placement of sutures that support the proper healing of the wound. The implant remains in the bone for 2-3 months in the case of the mandible and 5-6 months in the case of the upper tooth line. During this time, the tooth gap is filled with adhesive bridges, bite splints or standard acrylic dentures;
5. stage V: after the implants have healed, the dentist uncovers them and performs prosthetic reconstruction. The dentist unscrews the screws on the implants and tightens the impression copings to them in order to take prosthetic impressions. After choosing the type and color of the crown, the doctor reattaches the screws to the implants;
6. stage VI: based on the impressions, the prosthetic technician casts a model on which he prepares crowns on implants. At the next visit, the dentist checks the crowns and, after the patient’s approval, fixes them permanently to the implants.

Do you want to know more about zirconium implants? Check: What are zirconium implants?

Crowns on implants – how to care for them?

The method of hygiene and care for implant crowns does not differ much from caring for natural teeth. However, one must not remember about periodic check-ups after the first and sixth month after the procedure. After this period, follow-up visits should take place every 12 months. During such visits, the dentist checks the bite on the implant, the condition of the gums and the condition of the bones. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform an X-ray examination of the teeth. After the procedure, each patient receives a detailed instruction or an information leaflet on the care and hygiene of the oral cavity from their dentist.

Crowns on implants – durability

The durability of crowns on implants depends on the care and proper hygiene of the oral cavity. If the patient cares for the crowns and does not neglect the daily hygiene of the oral cavity, their durability is the same as that of permanent teeth. In the event of damage to the crown on the implant, the dentist can always remove it and replace it with a new crown. This has no effect on the implant located in the bone.

How much does a crown on implants cost?

Prices in dentists’ offices vary widely. It is not worth choosing the cheapest dental office, it is worth checking in advance what quality materials are used by the dentist. Each of the specialists prefer different implantation systems, which is why the prices of crowns on implants range from PLN 1800 to PLN 4000 for a single titanium screw. This amount does not include the costs associated with a prosthetic abutment or a healing screw. These issues, however, do not close the list of expenses related to fixing the crown on implants. The prices of the prosthetic crowns themselves are different. The cost of porcelain crowns starts from around PLN 550. However, all-ceramic crowns with zircons cost up to PLN 1400. Therefore, the average price of the full implantological procedure is at least PLN 3550.

How much do dental implants cost? Find out: What is the cost of dental implants?

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