According to the experts at the American College of Prosthodontists, approximately 178 million American adults have lost one or more of their permanent teeth. Gum disease, which affects nearly half the U.S. population, is the primary cause of all these lost teeth, although tooth decay and accidental loss account for their fair share. The preferred method for replacing a missing tooth is a dental implant crown, a reliable, long-lasting, and lifelike dental prosthetic.
Components of an Implant Crown
Dental implants crowns have 2-3 basic parts:
- The implant post, which looks similar to a small screw. This part goes inside the jaw, where the missing tooth’s root used to be and anchors the crown in place.
- The abutment, which connects the implant post to the crown. In some types of dental implants, the abutment is built into the post.
- The crown, which is tightly secured to the implant post. Dental implant secured crowns (like any other type of dental crown) are usually made from dental porcelain, although they can also be made of zirconium or porcelain fused to metal.
Benefits of an Implant Crown
Dental implants are often preferred over dental bridges (another common treatment option for single missing teeth) because implants are standalone structures and do not require the reduction of healthy tooth enamel to secure in place. Dental implants also promote healthier jawbone tissue and maintain healthy spacing between the teeth. Dental implants are easy to care for and can last for several decades, as long as you take proper care of them.
Cost of an Implant Crown
One of the biggest reasons more and more people are turning to dental implants to replace their missing teeth is because greater demand has driven down the price. In fact, in most states, the cost of a dental implant crown is close (if not less) than the cost of a dental bridge. Given the advantages of dental implant crowns, it’s no wonder an estimated five million Americans receive on every year.
