Dental Implants and Crowns

Missing or broken teeth can be a huge cosmetic burden that can oftentimes be painful and hard to manage. Dental implants and crowns are a great way to cosmetically improve these areas of your mouth and solve the problems that these issues have created for you.

What Is The Difference Between Implants, Crowns, and Bridges?

Implants: Implants replace a single gap, or single missing tooth. It consists of a small, bio-compatible, titanium post that is surgically inserted beneath the gum line and allowed to fuse with the bone. After some healing time, the post is topped with a fake tooth (a crown) that acts as a fully functioning tooth long term. Implants are essential for preventing bone loss in the jaw over time. They don’t come loose and can also be used in the “bridge” process.

Crowns: Crowns are made to restore or cover up cracked or chipped teeth throughout the mouth. They are placed over implants or damaged natural teeth, acting as a normal tooth both in look and in function.

Bridges: Bridges are comprised of at least three pieces and aim to fill or fix gaps between missing teeth. There are two abutment teeth (either two natural teeth with crowns or dental implants with crowns). These teeth serve as the bridge posts. The false tooth in the middle that “bridges” the gap (supported by the abutment teeth) is called a pontic.

What Are The Advantages of Crowns?

Crowns are widely used with restorative dental procedures, and validly so. They offer a relatively inexpensive fix to restore your damaged or missing teeth. Some of the benefits of crowns are:

  • They can be used with natural teeth as well as atop implants. If anything happens to the crown, they can be replaced again.
  • In many cases, they prevent having to fully extract a damaged tooth, which can cause other problems over time
  • They are barriers to
    • infection
    • decay
    • any further damage to an already damaged tooth

Consider a crown if:

  • Your tooth has a cavity that is too large for a filling
  • You have a tooth that is cracked, worn down, or otherwise weakened
  • You’ve had root canal treatment – a crown will protect the restored tooth
  • You want to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth to improve your smile

Why Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants are considered minor surgical procedures. Essentially, their purpose is to replace the root of the tooth to preserve and promote jaw bone health. Generally, they serve as a cosmetic restoration of a single tooth. Why get implants:


  • Long-term solution: Implants are a long term solution to the burden of a missing tooth. Because the small titanium posts are inserted beneath the gum line, they actually fuse to the jaw bone. Thus, they become permanent fixes. Then, they’re topped with a prosthetic tooth made to match the surrounding teeth.
  • Prevent Bone Loss: Because implants take the place of a tooth root by fusing into the jaw bone, the jaw bone maintains structure where it otherwise would begin to lose density. Bone loss in the jaw can pose other health problems like loss of facial structure, decreased functionality to chew and talk, and the breakdown of gum tissues that support your other healthy teeth.
  • Aesthetic: Of course, filling in the gaps from your missing teeth are a great way to undo the stress caused by an unhealthy or unattractive smile. The effects of smiling with comfort and confidence can make a world of difference for an individual. Don’t wait to achieve your beautiful, healthy smile!

Call our office today to set up an appointment with Dr. Zach Brumbach and his dental professional team to help you with your dental crowns.

Schedule an appointment today!