Crown or Bridge on Implant(s)
If you have opted for one or several implants to replace missing teeth and regain many of the advantages of natural teeth, then a restoration has to be placed on top of the implant. The implant is the replacement of a natural root. You have three choices of restoration; a crown, a bridge or a prosthesis (denture).
A crown is the option when you have only one tooth to be replaced or many teeth that are missing which do not touch each other. A bridge is the ideal option when you have several teeth missing in one region or to limit the number of implants. The prosthesis is a popular option when you are missing a complete dentition, either upper or lower.
Once the implant has been placed and the healing period is over, an abutment is attached to the implant. The abutment connects the implant to the restoration. The abutment is installed at the specialist’s office. Your general dentist will take care of installing the crown, the bridge or the prosthesis. For more information concerning implants, please refer to the implant section.
Crown on implant
The crown on implant is placed by your general dentist. Your dentist will see you for a first appointment after the abutment is attached. He/She will take impressions of your teeth and make a 3D model of your teeth. You and your dentist will decide together the colour of your crown as well as the material. The dentist will send this model along with your choice of colour and material to a lab where they will fabricate the crown. This crown will be made especially for you.
At your second appointment, the crown will be cemented and adjusted by your dentist in order to fit perfectly in your mouth and ensure proper occlusion.
Bridge on implant
The steps for placing a bridge on implants is almost the same as the ones for installing a crown.
The advantages of choosing a bridge on implants compared to a conventional bridge are numerous. The conventional bridge is installed on two natural teeth, where the natural teeth are shaped and enamel is removed in order to cement it. These natural teeth can have cavities or can become sensitive and may need root canals in the future, whereas a bridge done on implants does not affect natural teeth.