Dentist
Everybody wants to have a great smile that makes people notice their teeth for the right reasons. Unfortunately, teeth can be fickle and end up causing you to have esteem problems instead of the admirers you’d hoped for. The key is to get teeth fixed up right to get your smile back on track.
When it comes to fixing your teeth, you have a few choices. Two of these are dental crowns and implants. These are two ways to repair teeth that any good orthodontist such as Frisco Premier Orthodontics use to restore your smile. In this article, we will go over what you need to know to make the best decision for your smile.
Understanding dental crowns
A dental crown is sort of like a cap for your tooth. It’s shaped just like your tooth and is put on top of it. This helps to protect the tooth underneath. It also helps to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns also improve how your tooth looks.
Essentially, instead of getting an implant, you have the best of both worlds. You will keep most of your actual tooth underneath. Then, the cover is made out of the same material as an implant so your tooth should last a long time without getting broken or getting a cavity.
The way it works is that the dentist removes some parts of your tooth to make space for the crown. Then, a mold of the tooth is created. This is so the crown can be made to fit perfectly. The dentist will then put a temporary crown on your tooth until the permanent one is ready.
Understanding dental implants
Unlike a crown, which covers a tooth, a dental implant replaces a tooth. Think of it as a new root for your tooth that’s made from titanium.
The process of getting a dental implant takes a bit more time than getting a crown. First, the dentist will surgically place the implant in your jawbone. This is done under anesthesia, so don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing. Then, you’ll need to wait for a few months. During this time, the implant fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration.
Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, the dentist will attach an anchor to it. This is a piece that sticks out of your gums and holds the new tooth. The dentist will then take a mold of your mouth to create this crown.
How to decide?
Choosing between a dental crown and an implant isn’t always a simple choice. It depends on many things. One of these is your dental condition. If you have a tooth that’s damaged but the root is still good, a crown might be the best choice. But if you’ve lost a tooth entirely, an implant could be the way to go.
Your general health also plays a role. To get an implant, you need to have healthy gums and enough bone in your jaw to hold it. If you don’t, your dentist might suggest a dental plate or other treatment instead.
