The tooth structure is strong and durable but it can be damaged. Sometimes, teeth are restorable while at other times, they can not be restored. Choosing the appropriate one between tooth implant Vs crown to restore regular oral functions as per requirements is essential. A range of reasonable projection estimates suggests that dental implant prevalence could be as high as 23% by 2026.
A dental implants is a permanent prosthesis that is used to replace the missing space created due to the loss of teeth. An implant has three major parts, i.e., a titanium screw, an abutment, and a crown. The crown can be made of zirconia or porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain (also known as ceramic) crowns are cheaper, while zirconia crowns are relatively expensive and aesthetic.
A dental implant is placed in the space of a missing tooth. For an implant to be successful, it is essential that the implant successfully osseointegrates with the jawbone. This process is known as osseointegration.
A crown is a fixed prosthesis placed over a weak tooth that can not support or hold itself. It can be made of different materials, such as zirconia, stainless steel, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), gold, and ceramic (porcelain).
This is yet another key difference between dental implants vs crowns: a crown is placed over a structurally compromised tooth. A crown can not be placed in a space, while an implant can be.
In the following section, we will shed light on the key differences between tooth implants vs crowns.
The strength of a tooth implant depends upon the expertise of the dentist or implantologist, the quality of the dental implant, the condition of the bone, and other materials. An implant is placed within the bone, and its strength depends on the extent of osseointegration.
On the other hand, the condition of a crown depends upon the material being used. In some situations, PFM crowns are used, which are cheaper and not very aesthetic. However, crowns made from zirconia are aesthetic and strong and are often used in the anterior region. Zirconia can withstand wear and chipping much more than ceramic. Moreover, the cutting of teeth in the case of zirconia is less, leaving more tooth structure for support and strength.
The life of both tooth implants vs crowns varies and depends upon various factors.
The life of a dental implant is generally between 10 to 30 years or more, depending on how well you take care of it. It is said that a dental implant goes with you even in your grave. It is only possible to increase the lifespan by brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing after meals, specifically between teeth where there is an issue of food impaction, rinsing, and gargling with lukewarm salt water.
The average lifespan of a dental crown is 5 to 15 years, depending upon the material being used, the quality of the underlying tooth, the expertise of your dentist, and patient cooperation. Similar to dental implants, oral hygiene practices play a major role in a crown’s success.
The process of crown placement takes about 2 to 3 appointments depending upon the cause of its selection. Crowns can be placed on endodontically treated teeth (Root canal treated tooth), teeth damaged due to attrition, erosion, abstraction, abrasion and discolored teeth, etc.
In the first appointment, the underlying tooth is prepared, and an impression is taken of that tooth before and after the crown preparation. Then, the dental lab manufactures the crown as per the provided size, and then it is fixed using cement or mechanically if it fits well.
The time taken for implant placement is between 3 and 12 months. The process revolves around the extraction of the affected tooth and the preparation of the implant site. If the bone is insufficient, a bone graft can be done, and then the implant is placed. The treatment time is prolonged if the tooth is infected, as the implant site needs to be infection-free before implant placement.
Once the implant (titanium screw) is placed, the patient can resume regular activities. After osseointegration is complete, the abutment and crown can be placed. After the final treatment, it is important to appoint the patient for follow-up after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and then annually to note the progress and detect any flaws at an earlier stage.
The procedure of implantation is much more invasive than crown placement. The gums have to be removed, and the bone has to be prepped before its placement. Then, the implant is placed within the bone, and the gums are stitched back.
In the case of a crown, the tooth is prepared by crown cutting which is different for different materials. An Impression is taken, and then the crown is cemented over it.
Cost is one of the major factors that make the comparative analysis between tooth implants vs crowns crystal clear.
The cost of a single implant varies between $1500 to $6000 depending upon the invasiveness and number of procedures (e.g., bone grafts, sinus lift, etc.).
The cost of a dental crown ranges between $300 and $900. PFM crowns are cheaper than zirconia crowns. Zirconia crowns are much more aesthetic, and their cutting is very fine, which makes them the preferable choice.
To sum it up, tooth implant vs crown have multiple differentiating factors. The major factor is that an implant is placed within the bone to replace a missing tooth, while a crown is placed over a tooth with a defect or compromised tooth structure.
If you are in search of dental implants in Paramus Park, NJ, then book an appointment with us at Paramus Park Oral Surgery. We are implant experts in Paramus Park, NJ, who formulate a budget-friendly treatment plan for you!