Implant-Supported Crowns
Overview
For the right candidates, implant-supported crowns are considered the best way to replace a single missing tooth. Dr. K. B. Parkes, Dr. Smith, Dr. Glover, and Dr. Allred in Nashville, TN, can place and restore dental implants in one convenient location, eliminating the need for referrals. We also use CEREC® technology to create dental crowns in a single appointment. Once your implant is ready, we can provide a custom crown in a fraction of the time traditionally required.
An implant-supported crown can restore function and aesthetics while preventing bone atrophy.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Crowns
When a traditional dental bridge is placed, the neighboring teeth must be reduced to accommodate dental crowns. In contrast, a dental implant can support a pontic (replacement tooth) on its own, with no need to alter healthy dental tissue. The teeth on either side of the gap remain fully intact.
A dental bridge only replaces the crown of the missing tooth (the portion visible above the gumline). Conversely, a dental implant-supported restoration replaces the crown as well as the root. This provides outstanding stability as well as the stimulation necessary to prevent the bone recession that occurs following the loss of a tooth.
If you are suffering due to a missing tooth, we are here to help you.
Candidacy
Dental implant candidates must be free of extensive decay or periodontal disease. If these conditions are present, we will work with you to correct them before moving on to implant treatment. Patients should also be in good overall health; certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, can lead to implant failure. Anyone interested in tooth replacement with dental implants should not smoke, as tobacco products significantly compromise your natural healing capacity and increase the risk of implant failure.
Patients must also have sufficient bone tissue in the jaw. If you have waited to address a missing tooth, you may require a preliminary bone grafting procedure.
The Treatment Process
When you receive an implant-supported crown at our practice, you can expect that your timeline will consist of four basic steps:
At your first visit with your doctor, he will perform a full assessment of your teeth and gums. Once your candidacy and treatment plan has been confirmed, we will schedule your outpatient implant placement surgery.
During this visit, the titanium post will be inserted into the jawbone. The implant will fuse with the bone tissue over the next four to six months.
When osseointegration is complete, we will attach an abutment piece to your implant, which will connect to your crown.
Once the gums have healed around the implant - usually after about two weeks - we will take a digital impression of the abutment and surrounding teeth. This information will guide our CEREC technology in creating your dental crown, which will be ready to attach in about an hour. We will make any necessary adjustments to the crown to ensure a comfortable fit.
Learn More about Implant-Supported Crowns
If you are suffering due to a missing tooth, we are here to help you. To learn more about the advantages of implant-supported crowns, schedule a visit with one of our doctors. You can contact us online anytime or call us at (615) 298-2040.
Iroquois Dentistry
Our top-rated dentists have been serving the Nashville community since 1946. We use the latest technology to offer gentle and effective care at affordable prices, and we are members of various national and local dental organizations:
- American Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Tennessee Dental Association
- Nashville Dental Society
To schedule a visit at Iroquois Dentistry, contact us online or call 615-551-3639.