Implant Crowns in Los Angeles, CA

An implant crown is a particular type of dental crown that is secured over an implant post. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, usually made of titanium or ceramic material, that are surgically embedded into the jawbone to support a new fake tooth. At Carlston Dental Group, a dental implant crown is a prosthetic tooth that fits right over the implant post. The crown is designed to look like a natural tooth and blend in with your smile.

Though the implant post itself may be strong enough to support the prosthesis, a crown is often recommended to provide extra strength to the restoration. In addition, adding the crown will help to protect the artificial tooth root from further damage. In some cases, patients may be able to receive a crown right away after getting their dental implant placed, while other patients may need to wait until the site has fully healed before receiving their crown. 

The Advantages of Implant Crowns

Minimally Invasive Placement

Dental implants are small titanium posts placed in your jawbone during a minor surgical procedure. Once they have healed and integrated with your bone structure, they act as artificial tooth roots that support your restorations, like implant crowns. Traditional bridgework requires filing down the teeth on either side of the gap so crowns can be cemented. Implant crowns can be placed with minimal damage to your existing smile, keeping your surrounding teeth healthy and intact. Even patients with dentures can benefit from implant-retained dentures that help stabilize their replacements and prevent further tooth loss.

Who's a Good Candidate for Implant Crowns?

• Have sufficient jaw bone density to support the titanium screws to hold the implant.
• Be healthy enough to undergo a major surgical procedure and post-op recovery. While dental implant surgery is less invasive than a tooth extraction, it is still a serious operation that requires healing time.
• Not suffer from chronic medical disorders like heart disease or diabetes that can interfere with healing.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products because these can interfere with healing too. 
• Not tend to grind or clench their teeth as this can wear down the gums and damage the supporting bone structure of the jaw. This can increase the risk of failing to complete the procedure and giving the bone a chance to heal correctly.