For anyone who has suffered any form of tooth trauma, it can seem like a huge problem. But once the initial shock has passed, many people start looking for solutions, and are faced with a choice between dental crowns in Sydney and dental implants.
Crowns and dental implants in Sydney are both popular methods of tooth restoration, but which is right for you will depend on several factors, and an experienced Sydney dentist can help you assess your individual needs and goals for a healthier smile.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at crowns vs dental implants so that when book a consultation with your dentist, you can have an informed and confident conversation about which treatment is right for you.
Crown vs Implant: What’s the Difference?
What Is a Dental Crown?
To start, let’s take a look at what a dental crown is, and what one can do for your smile.
A dental crown is a custom-made protective restoration with the purpose of covering a damaged or decayed tooth. Dentists typically recommend crown treatment when a weakened tooth still has a healthy root but can’t function at its full potential without support, and when other treatment options won’t suffice.
What Is a Dental Implant?
While crowns and implants are both popular tooth restoration options, how dental implants work differs to how dental crowns work.
At its most basic, a dental implant is an artificial tooth implanted in your jaw with a titanium post and abutment, and topped off with a dental prosthetic (most often a crown). They’re considered to be a more permanent solution for tooth loss than other restoration methods, recommended if you’re missing multiple teeth and have sufficient healthy bone in your jaw to support an implant.
Comparing Crowns vs Implants
Position of Trauma
“The choice between either procedure can boil down to the position of the damage in relation to your mouth,” notes Dr May Aung. “When you suffer tooth trauma in the front of the mouth, particularly in the smile line, it can be very different from damaging a tooth at the back of the mouth.”
The success of dental implants often depends on where they’re positioned. For example, aside from aesthetics, dental implants that are placed at the front of the mouth are less prone to the excessive forces of chewing than dental implants placed at the back of the mouth.
However, while an implant inserted into the posterior jaw is a valid option, a porcelain-fused-tometal (PFM) dental crown may be better suited, as this would offer additional durability on top of the visual appeal.
Extent or Type of Damage
Another factor that cannot be overlooked when choosing between dental implants or dental crowns is the extent of the damage they’re addressing.
“If you have a single missing tooth, for example, or a tooth that is so badly damaged that it’s better off being removed, then a straight one-for-one replacement with a dental implant may be the best option,” explains Dr May Aung from No Gaps Dental Castle Hill.
Alternatively, if you’ve suffered a trauma that resulted in the loss of several neighbouring teeth, a conventional dental crown bridge or implant-supported bridge may be a more suitable treatment option. Replacing multiple teeth in this way is significantly less invasive, and less expensive, than getting an individual dental implant for each missing tooth.
Complexity of Case
Oral health and the condition of a natural tooth will often guide treatment, as the complexity of a case and how much work is required to restore a tooth will determine which procedure is best suited for your smile.
A prime example of this in action is tooth reshaping. In order for a dental crown to be properly installed and to stay firmly in position, the tooth below must be shaped to accommodate it, and cannot:
- Have insufficient surface structure
- Have insufficient tooth root
- Be too badly broken or decayed
If the existing tooth is deemed unsuitable for a crown, your dentist may recommend dental implants instead. Dental implants are commonly used when a tooth is too badly damaged or decayed for a crown to be applied, as the implant post itself offers a firm, stable anchor for a crown to then be attached.
Procedure & Treatment Time
Dental implants require minor surgery, several months of healing, and follow-up procedures. Even though modern technology and sedation techniques, like those offered at No Gaps Dental, mean that a patient is highly unlikely to experience discomfort during implant placement, they will still need to undergo a surgical dental implant procedure.
The fitting of a dental crown onto an existing tooth does not require any form of surgical intervention and can typically be completed in just 2-3 appointments. The process is much simpler than that of a dental implant, and there is no extensive recovery process to factor in.
Cost
The cost of dental implants vs cost of dental crowns in Sydney can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The materials used
- The technology involved
- The position and condition of the tooth
- Any additional treatment requirements
Your dentist can provide a detailed quote after assessing your individual case, but as a general rule, dental implants cost more (at an average range of $3000–$6500 per tooth) than dental crowns (which typically start at $1700).
Comfort and Function
When it comes to speaking, biting, and chewing, both implants and crowns are strong restoration options. However, if stability is a priority, dental implants may be the better choice.
The types of dental crowns work by reinforcing a tooth, and rely on the existing root and structure for success. Meanwhile, dental implants replace a missing tooth in its entirety, starting from the root. This combination of titanium-rod implant, abutment, and crown prosthesis mean that the replacement tooth can look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth, but with the support of a reliable and surgically-installed base for itself and its nearby teeth.
Longevity
How long a dental crown or dental implant will last rarely comes down to just one factor, and varies from person to person. Daily oral hygiene is essential for extending the lifespan of both treatments, as healthy teeth and gums provide both stable foundations and the support needed to minimise future complications.
With the proper care and maintenance, a well-placed crown can last for more than 10 years (results will depend on your individual circumstances), but many will need to be replaced within 5–10 years.
Dental implants provide a stable and long-term solution that can last 10–20 years, with some longer than 20 years. Like with dental crowns, however, the lifespan of a dental implant depends on a patient’s unique circumstances and commitment to ongoing oral care.
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
As for the long-term care of dental implants vs crowns, Dr May Aung advises that “dental implants prove easier to take care of than dental crowns.”
It’s possible for a crowned tooth to become diseased, as the dental cement that bonds the crown to the existing tooth can wear away over time, leaving tiny holes for bacteria to enter through and decay the tooth. Additionally, if the surrounding gum becomes infected, this can spread to the natural tooth root and then into the tooth itself.
A dental implant, however, is not a living organism like a natural tooth, and cannot suffer from decay or gum disease. This reduced susceptibility to the same dental issues as a standard crown means that a dental implant can be easier to care for, provided proper oral care and maintenance is carried out according to your dentist’s instructions.
Suitability by Age
Ultimately, the decision between crowns vs implants will not come down to your age, but instead your oral and overall health – especially in the case of dental implants, where a surgical procedure is required for treatment.
There is no strict rule that governs how old you have to be before you can get a dental implant. They do, however, require sufficient bone density for installation, and many dentists will advise waiting until a jawbone is fully developed1 (usually from around the mid-20s and up). There is no upwards age limit on dental implants either, and treatment boasts a high success rate of around 90–95% percent across every applicable age group2.
Similarly, there is no minimum or upper age requirement for who can get dental crowns, but it is widely recommended that patients wait until their teeth are fully developed first. There are some complications that can arise before and after dental crowns, but the likelihood of developing one and the success of treatment will come down to the condition of your teeth and gums, not your age group.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist Before Choosing a Crown or Implant
As you can see, while you may be faced with the dilemma of choosing between dental implants vs crowns and bridges, the choice generally comes down to a handful of significant factors.
Whether you have a preference in mind or just want to know more about your options, an experienced dentist in Sydney can help you answer a few key questions, such as:
- Am I a good candidate for implants or crowns?
- Are there any risks or complications I should be aware of?
- Will I need any additional treatment with a crown or implant?
- What is the likelihood that my implants or crowns will fail in the future?
- What can I do to take care of my crown or implant in the long run?
Book an appointment at any of our 18 No Gaps Dental clinics across Sydney to talk to our team and find out how we can help you achieve a healthier smile.
References:
1, 2 https://www.mvdentallaboratory.com.au/news/age-and-dental-implants/
3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/dental-cement