Crowns vs. Implants: Which Is Right For Me?

Did you know that over 25 percent of the adult population in the United States has untreated caries? When left untreated, these caries lead to you needing dental care in the form of dental implants or a dental crown.

When you have teeth that are decaying, you’ll be facing the dilemma of choosing between those two common treatments. In order to choose the best option for you, it’s important that you know the differences between the two options and the pros and cons of these types of cosmetic dentistry.

Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place to learn everything that you need to know about both crowns and implants. Continue reading to learn all about crowns and implants and which option is best for your oral health.

Dental Crowns

While dental implants are designed to replace an entire tooth, a dental crown is designed to sit over the top of your existing tooth and protect it from further decay. Crowns are also referred to by caps, and they’re a highly effective way to save and restore your teeth. It is effective on teeth that get cracked, broken, chipped, and decayed.

Dental crowns are almost like fake teeth, and if you go to the best dentist for same day crowns you’ll never notice that the crown is even there. That tooth will be strong and durable while still looking natural. A dental crown done by the best dentist will never be noticeable when you smile.

Think of dental crowns as a primary tool for dental restoration. They’re designed to help with the oral health of an existing tooth or a dental implant. There are pros and cons to dental crowns that you need to be aware of to determine if they’re the right choice for your teeth.

Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns

One of the big pros that come with choosing to get dental crowns is that they’re a less expensive option than the other alternatives available to you. Getting oral surgery or having a tooth removed is a costly procedure, even with the help of dental insurance. A dental crown can save and restore your tooth and help your budget at the same time.

Crowns are also specially designed to save that particular tooth. The design and the durability of a dental crown help to prolong that tooth’s life significantly. This keeps your mouth healthy and happy for longer.

Another big pro of dental crowns is that the materials used for them today are durable and can be color-matched to your existing teeth. This allows you to have the best protection for that tooth while hiding the fact that you ever had dental work done.

A downside to getting a dental crown is that the tooth in question needs to be filed down in order for the crown to be fitted over top. That process is not reversible, so once you commit to getting a dental crown there is no going back.

You’ll also experience heightened sensitivity in the tooth that gets the crown. This sensitivity is uncomfortable but will subside after a few weeks. Another con of dental crowns is that there are aesthetically pleasing materials that match the color of your teeth, but they don’t last as long as the other material options like PFM crowns.

It is also important to remember that dental cement is used to keep the crown in place. Over a period of time, that cement can wear away, causing the crown to become loose. This can cause discomfort and act as an inconvenience.

Dental Implants

If you go to the best dentist, the dentist won’t recommend dental implants unless they determine that the tooth is unsalvageable. If it is a situation where the tooth needs to be removed, a dental implant is a perfect solution.

Dental implants work by being installed directly into your jawbone at the site where the tooth is missing. They use a titanium post that looks like a screw. This post is biocompatible and lightweight, as well as durable. Once the post is anchored into your jaw, it is ready to provide a number of oral health functions.

The post helps support dental implants, but also dental bridges as well as full and partial dentures. The big difference between dental implants and dental crowns is that dental crowns are non-surgical while dental implants require surgery. This means that dental crowns are a quick and easy process, where dental implants take as long as 9 months to complete.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Dental implants are great because they replace the entire damaged or decaying tooth all the way down to the root. It’s a great solution for an unsalvageable or missing tooth. They’re also a great option because since they’re anchored into the jaw they prevent the process of bone loss where the missing tooth is.

Additionally, opting for dental implants is opting for a permanent solution for a damaged or missing tooth. Once they’re installed, dental implants get treated exactly like your natural teeth. This means that they don’t limit what you can eat and when you can eat it. This isn’t the case with a dental crown, where candy and crunchy vegetables cause problems.

The big downside to getting dental implants is that it does require oral surgery. This means that it will take longer and cost you more money. You’ll also have to wait longer for the dental implant process to get completed. While a crown gets done in the process of only a few weeks, implants take on average 4-6 months to complete.

The timetable is due to the time needed for the bone and the titanium post to fuse together and create a strong foundation. It is also vital that the titanium post gets planted into healthy bone. This gives it the best chance of having longevity. If you’ve had a long gap of missing teeth then a bone graft helps get the best results.

Get Your Dental Care Today

If you have a decaying or missing tooth and require dental care, don’t wait. There are many options out there to either save and restore the tooth or replace it entirely. If the tooth is able to get saved then getting dental crowns is your best option. They’re the least expensive option and will take the least amount of time.

If the tooth can’t isn’t saved then dental implants are an amazing solution. They replace the missing or damaged tooth and get fused directly to your jawbone. From there, they’re just like your natural teeth.

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