Regular Crowns and Implant Crowns: What’s the Difference?

Dental crowns are quite versatile and are often recommended in a wide variety of situations. However, it’s a mistake to assume that all dental crowns are exactly alike. Regular crowns and implant crowns may seem similar on the surface, but they’re used in very different ways. To help you understand why your dentist may recommend one type of crown over the other, here’s a closer look at the differences between regular dental crowns and implant crowns.

What are Regular Crowns and Implant Crowns?

A regular crown is made to be attached to a natural tooth. It can be used to restore damaged dental structure while also protecting it from further harm. In some cases, a regular crown might be placed for cosmetic reasons.

Meanwhile, an implant crown is specifically meant to be anchored to a single dental implant post. This allows it to act as a replacement tooth in order to fill in a gap in your smile. The dental implant post will essentially act as the artificial root for the crown, keeping it firmly in place while providing it with enhanced chewing power.

Which Kind of Crown Will Your Dentist Recommend?

The two kinds of crowns are used for completely different reasons: one is meant to repair and protect a tooth you still have while the other is combined with a dental implant to replace a tooth altogether. As such, the kind of crown that your dentist recommends will depend on what kind of dental issue you’re dealing with:

• Regular crowns are for teeth that are damaged in some way but are still worth saving. This often applies to teeth that are cracked or decayed.
• Implant crowns are only used if your tooth is being replaced with a dental implant. This may be necessary if your tooth is no longer salvageable or has already been knocked out of the mouth altogether.

How Will You Know If You Need a Dental Crown?

You’ll need to speak to your dentist in order to know for sure whether you truly need to get a dental crown. That being said, if you have a tooth that was badly cracked or fractured, there’s a good chance that it could benefit from having a regular crown placed.

As for implant crowns, your dentist will need to confirm that you’re a viable candidate for dental implants first. Specifically, they’ll need to make sure that there’s enough bone density in your jaw to support an implant post.

Both regular crowns and implant crowns can go a long way toward revitalizing your smile. If you have a tooth that you think might need to be repaired or replaced, reach out to your dentist today!

About the Author

Dr. Bita Kamali has more than two decades of dental experience. She has completed additional education in many different topics, including dental implant restorations. She offers lifelike dental crowns for restoring damaged smiles, and she’s partnered with local oral surgeons to help her patients replace their missing teeth with dental implants. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kamali at Parkway Vista Dental in Plano, visit her website or call (972) 818-1300.