Dental Implant Crowns Types and Their Procedure

If you have already heard that you need a dental implant, odds are your dentist quickly followed that statement up by telling you about a crown. That’s usually the part that gets glossed over when people look into it. The crown is actually the part that you see and will use every day. The implant is what we hide underneath your gums that anchors into your jawbone. The crown is simply the replacement tooth that goes on top of the implant.

Let’s explore the different options of dental implant crowns and how they differ. Plus we will go over exactly what happens during your procedure step by step.

What Is a Dental Implant Crown?

Simply put, a dental implant crown is the cap of the tooth on top of your implant. Dental implants are made up of three parts. The implant is the titanium post inserted into your jaw. Think of that as the replacement tooth root. After it has integrated into the bone, the crown is attached on top of that implant to finish the tooth both functionally and cosmetically.

Essentially, you can think of the implant as two parts. The implant is root. The crown is the tooth. 

Types of Dental Implant Crowns

Dentists choose crown material based on where the tooth sits in your mouth, how much biting force it needs to withstand, and how closely it needs to match your natural teeth. Here are the main types you’ll come across.

1. Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is a strong, tooth-colored ceramic that holds up well to daily chewing. It’s gentle on the teeth it bites against, which means less wear on the opposing tooth over time. Zirconia crowns work for both front and back teeth, and they’re a common pick for anyone who wants a completely metal-free restoration.

2. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns

PFM crowns pair a metal base with a porcelain layer on top. The metal core gives it strength, while the porcelain shell gives it a natural look. These crowns are versatile enough to place almost anywhere in the mouth, though the metal edge can occasionally show as a thin line near the gum if the gums recede over time.

3. All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns

These come closest to matching the look of a real tooth, since light passes through them the way it does through natural enamel. They’re most often used on front teeth, where appearance matters more than raw bite force. They’re also a solid option for anyone with a metal sensitivity.

4. Metal or Gold Alloy Crowns

Metal crowns are the most durable option out there, often outlasting every other material. The trade-off is obvious: they don’t look like a natural tooth. Because of this, they’re mostly reserved for back molars, where strength counts more than aesthetics and they’re less visible when you smile.

5. Composite Resin Crowns

These are made from the same type of resin used in tooth-colored fillings. They cost less than the other options and are easier to repair, but they wear down faster and can pick up stains over time. Dentists tend to use resin crowns as a temporary crown while a permanent one is being made, rather than as a long-term solution.

How Is a Dental Implant Crown Attached?

Once the implant has healed and fused with the jawbone, your dentist attaches the crown using one of two main methods.

• Screw-retained crowns attach directly to the implant with a small screw, which passes through a channel in the crown itself. The main advantage here is retrievability. If the crown ever needs adjustment, repair, or removal, your dentist can simply unscrew it. A small access hole gets sealed with filling material afterward, so it stays out of sight.
• Cement-retained crowns use an abutment, a connector piece that screws into the implant first. The crown is then cemented on top of that abutment, similar to how a regular crown is cemented onto a natural tooth. This method tends to give a slightly cleaner, more natural-looking result since there’s no visible screw access hole. The trade-off is that it’s harder to remove later if something needs fixing.

Which one your dentist recommends usually comes down to the exact position of your implant and how much space is available for the restoration.

The Dental Implant Crown Procedure, Step by Step

Getting an implant crown isn’t a single appointment. It happens in stages, spread out over a few months, because the implant needs time to properly bond with your jawbone before it can support a crown.

1. Consultation and imaging. Your dentist examines the site, checks the health of your jawbone, and often uses digital imaging or a 3D scan to plan the exact implant position.

2. Implant placement. The titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia. This is a minor surgical procedure, and most patients go home the same day.

3. Healing and osseointegration. Over the next few months, the jawbone gradually fuses around the implant. This healing period is what makes the implant as stable as a natural tooth root.

4. Abutment placement. Once healing is confirmed, your dentist attaches the abutment, the small connector piece that will hold the crown in place.

5. Crown fabrication. A digital scan or impression of your teeth is taken so a custom crown can be made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth.

6. Final crown attachment. The finished crown is either screwed or cemented onto the abutment, depending on which method your dentist recommended earlier in the process.

At Rudra Dental Smilelature in Salem, this planning stage typically includes a digital intraoral scan of the implant site, which lets both the dentist and the patient see the expected outcome before the crown is even made.

Which Crown Type Is Best for You?

There’s no single answer here, since it depends on where the tooth sits and what you need from it.

• Front tooth, visible when you smile: all-ceramic or zirconia crowns usually win out for their natural appearance.
• Back molar, heavy chewing pressure: zirconia or metal crowns tend to hold up better under repeated force.
• Budget-conscious or temporary need: composite resin crowns offer a lower-cost, shorter-term option.
• Metal sensitivity: all-ceramic or zirconia crowns avoid metal altogether.

Your dentist will factor in your bite, the position of the tooth, and your aesthetic goals before recommending a specific material.

Caring for Your Dental Implant Crown

An implant crown needs roughly the same care as a natural tooth, with a bit of extra attention around the base.

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush.
• Floss daily, including around the crown margin where plaque tends to collect.
• Avoid biting down on very hard foods like ice or hard candy.
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, since grinding puts extra stress on both the crown and the implant underneath.
• Keep up with regular dental checkups so your dentist can catch small issues, like a loosening crown or early gum irritation, before they become bigger problems.

Final Thoughts

The crowns that fit atop dental implants can be made from several materials. You have options because certain materials work better in different areas of your mouth. You also have different priorities when it comes to appearance vs. strength vs. cost. Speaking of cost, keep in mind that a dental implant clinic in Salem can help you understand the overall treatment expenses. Dental implants aren’t a one-day process. You’ll need to give the implant some time to bond with your jaw before the crown is attached. 

Start with a consultation to have your dentist plan out the correct implant placement and crown material for the damaged tooth. Rudra Dental Smilelature’s doctors go over that process with you at their Fairlands and Suramanagalam offices in Salem, GA. They’ll plan out the appropriate type of crown you’ll need based on the needs of the tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the full dental implant crown procedure take? 

From placement to final crown, the process typically spans two to six months. Most of that time is healing, since the implant needs to properly fuse with the jawbone before it can support a crown.

Which crown type lasts the longest on a dental implant? 

Metal or zirconia crowns tend to last the longest due to their strength, often 15 to 20 years or more with proper care. Composite resin crowns wear down fastest and are usually used as a temporary option.

Can a dental implant crown be replaced without replacing the implant? 

Yes. The implant post itself, once fused with the bone, generally stays in place for decades. If the crown on top wears down, chips, or needs updating, your dentist can typically replace just the crown.

Is a screw-retained or cement-retained crown better? 

Neither is universally better. Screw-retained crowns are easier to remove for repairs, while cement-retained crowns often look more natural since there’s no visible screw hole. Your dentist chooses based on the implant’s position and available space.

Does getting a dental implant crown hurt? 

The implant placement involves minor surgery under local anesthesia, so some soreness afterward is normal and manageable with basic pain relief. Attaching the crown itself, once the implant has healed, is generally painless.