How Long Will I Have to Wait After an Implant Procedure for Crown Placement on Implants?

If you are getting dental implants, crown placement is a big part of the procedure. Your dentist will implant the prosthesis and attach a crown to it to replace your old tooth. You will use the crown for biting and chewing, and it will make your smile look natural. You likely want to know how long you will have to wait to get your crown. That depends on the type of procedure you choose.

Crown placement options

People have two options for crown placement. They can go the traditional route or get a same-day placement with Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC).

Traditional dental crown procedure

During the traditional procedure, the dentist numbs the patient’s mouth and places the implant in the jawbone. Then, the dentist places an abutment and a temporary crown on top of it. After this, the dentist takes an impression of the mouth to send to a lab so that the crown can be constructed.

The patient is sent home to heal. During this time, osseointegration will take place. Osseointegration refers to the bone fusing to the implant. This provides the necessary stability to support the tooth long term.

It usually takes four to six months for the osseointegration process. The patient will have to keep the temporary crown during this time. The patient receives the permanent crown after the process is complete.

CEREC® for same-day crowns

Those who do not want to wait months to get a permanent crown can get same-day crowns with CEREC. CEREC allows dentists to create permanent crowns in their office. After the implant is placed, the dentist takes a digital impression of the patient’s mouth. The 3-D model is sent to a computer, where the dentist designs the crown.

The design is sent to a milling machine, which crafts the crown out of dental ceramic. The process takes around 15 minutes. Once the crown is completed, the dentist places it on top of the abutment. The dentist checks the fit of the crown and then the patient goes home to heal.

Benefits of CEREC over temporary crowns

Many people like that CEREC allows them to get their crowns in a single visit, but that is just one of the benefits. Temporary crowns are not nearly as durable as permanent crowns are. People have to be careful to prevent temporary crowns from breaking or falling out, so it can be hard to live with them for several months. Also, temporary crowns are not customized to match the natural teeth. Some people feel self-conscious when they have temporary crowns.

Do you need an implant and crown?

If you need an implant and crown, you have two options. You can go with traditional crown placement or CEREC. Your dentist will help you determine if you can benefit from CEREC. If the procedure is right for you, you can get your implant and crown on the same day. Then your bones will fuse to the implant while your permanent crown is in place.

Request an appointment here: https://www.carolinasmilesdentist.com or call Carolina Smiles Family Dental at (828) 884-3702 for an appointment in our Brevard office.

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