Heart Health: Don't Neglect Dental Care

When you receive a dental implant, a dental surgeon will implant a titanium post into your jawbone. This will create an extremely durable base for the crown that will finish your implant. However, before your surgeon makes the incision into your gums to begin the procedure, you need to talk to them about what type of crown to use to finish the procedure. You will have two main choices—a screw-retained or a cement-retained crown. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. 

Screw-Retained Crowns

A screw retained crown pairs with a post that has female threads built into it. To attach the crown, the surgeon will slip the crown over the post, then use a hole through the crown to insert and tighten down the screw. While this method of crown retention can create a secure connection, it is not meant to be permanent. If you damage your crown, the dentist can simply remove the screw that holds it in place and replace it with a new crown. On the other hand, the screw might be visible when you open your mouth and can work loose, which will cause your crown to get loose. If you notice that your crown is loose, you need to schedule an appointment to have it tightened.

Cement-Retained Crowns

The second option is to use dental cement to adhere the crown to the post. This option creates an extremely durable bond that can last for decades to come. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. If your crown gets damaged, there is no easy way to remove and replace it, but you never have to worry about your crown coming lose. Perhaps the main advantage of a cemented crown is that there is no screw head to mar the look of your crown. 

Deciding between the two crown retention methods described above is mostly a matter of the location of your crown. If you are replacing a crown at the front of your mouth, you should opt for the crown that most closely replicates the look of your natural teeth. On the other hand, if you are replacing a molar that could be damaged while you are grinding food, you should use a screw-retained crown. When you first talk to an oral surgeon about receiving your implant, make sure that you talk over your options and bear in mind any recommendations that the surgeon gives you as you choose the crown used to complete your implant. 

For dental implants, contact a dental office such as Crest Hill Family Dental.