Dental crowns anchored by dental implants replace lost or damaged teeth. A dentist embeds a dental implant in your jaw while the crown sits above your gum line. The implant and dental crown appear as one because of the attachment that joins the two together. A dentist can use a screw or cement to attach a dental crown to your implant.
Screw-Retained Crowns
Your dentist could use a screw to attach a dental crown onto an abutment. The procedure is simple. The main disadvantage is that screws don't look as good as oral dental cement. Since the implant screws into place through an abutment, a visible hole remains on your teeth. So, most screw-retained dental crowns are ideal for your back teeth.
Some situations render screws the safer option. Such include:
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Provisional implant crowns. Temporary dental crowns shape and mold your gums' soft tissue. You will need to replace the provisional crown with a permanent one. So, screws are ideal due to the ease of removal.
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Long-term plans. Dental implants last a long time and could outlast nearby natural teeth, which can succumb to decay or disease. In such cases, the dental implants support bridges if you lose natural teeth so that you won't need an additional underlying structure.
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Immediately loaded implants. Your dentist always leaves the implant to fuse to the bone for some time before the crown is attached. Sometimes, your dentist attaches the dental crown simultaneously with the implant. In such cases, screws are better because cement could flow below the gum tissue and cause inflammation.
Cemented Crowns
The dental crown cement color is similar to your teeth. So, you won't face the discoloration that sometimes happens on screw-retained crowns. Besides, oral cement eliminates the need for an access hole as your dentist cements the prosthesis directly to your implant abutment. So, dentists often use oral cement on your front teeth dental implants for aesthetics.
An oral dental cement isn't designed for removal. However, you will need a tune-up for implant-supported crowns at some point. A tune-up means you must detach your crown, which is difficult with dental cement. Your dentist will have to break the crown apart, so you'll have to replace the dental crown and the implant.
In a Nutshell
Your dentist chooses a dental implant attachment method based on your preference and individual circumstance. Sometimes, you may not have a choice because only one method is ideal for your condition. But, if you should choose one, your dentist will walk you through the ups and downs of each and let you decide.
Contact your dentist to learn more about dental implants.
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