Implant-supported prosthetics
If you have lost one or more teeth, implant-supported prosthetics can fully restore a single tooth or an entire dental arch.
A dental implant is an artificial substitute for a tooth root that serves solely as a support for the crown.
Depending on how many teeth are missing, your dentist may recommend a single implant-supported crown or an implant-supported bridge, so you can smile with confidence and eat without discomfort.
How is an implant crown different from a crown on a natural tooth?
A conventional crown is supported by your own tooth. An implant crown is attached to an abutment — a connector fixed to the implant. Before a crown can be placed on a natural tooth, the tooth must be prepared (reshaped). If the tooth is missing entirely, an implant is placed. Once the implant has integrated, a permanent crown can be fitted. While the implant is integrating (3 to 6 months), a temporary crown may be placed.
Types of implant-supported prosthetics
Single crown. The standard solution when one tooth is missing: one implant, one ceramic crown.
Implant-supported bridge. When several teeth are missing, you don’t necessarily need an implant for each one. An implant-supported bridge can solve the problem, and the neighboring teeth don’t need to be reshaped.
Full-arch restoration on implants is a separate area of prosthetics. If all or nearly all teeth are missing, the best way to restore function and aesthetics may be All-on-4 or All-on-6: a full-arch prosthesis supported by 4 or 6 implants.
Every implant treatment plan is tailored to you at a consultation.
Our prosthetic dentist
Andrii Bublii
Provides care related to prosthodontic dental treatment: placement of dental crowns and implant-supported crowns, placement of veneers and onlays, and removable dentures.
Screw-retained or cement-retained?
H-Clinic uses both crown retention methods. Your prosthodontist chooses one based on the clinical situation.
Screw retention. The crown is screwed onto the implant, and the access hole is sealed with composite. The main advantage is that the crown can be removed without damage, for example if it needs to be replaced.
Cement retention. The crown is bonded to the abutment with dental cement. In certain clinical situations, this method gives better aesthetics and a tighter fit.
The choice depends on the implant position, your bite, and whether the implant is in the smile zone.
Crown material
At H-Clinic, permanent implant crowns are made of zirconia (zirconium oxide). It is a metal-free ceramic, so the crown doesn’t show a dark line at the gum margin or discolor the gums over time. It is also strong enough to withstand full chewing forces.
Treatment stages
Implant integration. Prosthetic treatment begins once the implant has fused with the bone (osseointegration), roughly 3–6 months after placement.
Gum shaping. The surgeon places a healing abutment, which shapes the gum into the right contour around the future crown.
Abutment placement and scanning. The prosthodontist secures the abutment and takes a digital scan. The scans are then sent to the dental lab, where the crown is made.
Crown fabrication. A permanent crown takes about 10 days to make. While the lab is working on it, a temporary crown can be fitted on request, so there is no gap in your smile.
Crown placement. The prosthodontist tries in the permanent crown, checks your bite, and fixes it in place with either a screw or cement.
Cost of implant-supported prosthetics
The cost of an implant-supported bridge is calculated individually. It depends on the number of implants and units in the bridge.
Caring for an implant crown
An implant crown needs even more thorough hygiene than your natural teeth. Brush twice a day, and use floss, interdental brushes, and a water flosser as your dentist recommends. Keep in mind that an implant doesn’t hurt, so inflammation around it can develop unnoticed.
To catch inflammation early, we recommend a check-up and professional cleaning with a periodontist every 6 months.
FAQ
How long after implant placement is the crown fitted?
The permanent crown is fitted once the implant has integrated, usually after 3–6 months.
Which crown retention is better: screw or cement?
Your prosthodontist chooses based on the clinical situation. A screw-retained crown can be removed for maintenance, while a cement-retained one gives better aesthetics in certain cases.
What should I do if my implant crown feels loose?
Don’t put off seeing your dentist. The cause may be simple: a loosened screw, which can be fixed in one visit. But looseness can also be a sign of inflammation around the implant, so you need to have it checked.
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