A dentist may recommend a dental implant procedure to replace teeth that are missing or that have taken serious damage due to decay. An implant can anchor a new artificial tooth to complete the replacement process. In some instances, a decaying tooth may already be crowned by a dental cap. Patients may wonder what happens to the crowned tooth when considering a replacement with a dental implant.
A tooth typically receives a dental crown after a cavity repair, root canal or other procedure. Also called a cap, a crown is an artificial covering made of a durable material that covers the tooth and restores its function and appearance. They may be made of metal, ceramic or a combination of materials. However, sometimes after a crown is placed, the crown or the tooth under it may undergo further damage or decay. In this case the crowned tooth may require restoration or replacement.
If a tooth is seriously damaged or decaying, the dentist may recommend a full extraction of the tooth. Even if the tooth has already received a crown, an extraction may make more sense. Extracting the damaged tooth allows the dentist to start fresh with the entire area. They can place a dental implant and then later decide on the appropriate tooth replacement, such as a dental bridge or a new dental crown that is attached to the implant's abutment.
Whether the tooth extracted has a crown already does not have any bearing on whether the dental implant will be successful. A crowned tooth just means that the dentist had already to restore the tooth using a dental crown and it still failed, which likely means that the entire tooth should be replaced regardless.
In the case that there is not as much damage so that the tooth may not need to be extracted but rather restored, the dentist may recommend removal of the dental crown. Most of the time, dental crowns are placed permanently, being cemented to the natural tooth. However, once the tooth beneath the crown becomes severely infected or has begun to decay, the crown may become loose, allowing it to be removed.
If the dental crown can be removed by the dentist, it can give better access to the natural tooth. This will allow a dentist to determine what steps to take next, whether it be a complete extraction or a restoration. In some cases, following a root canal or other procedure, a new crown may be able to be placed on the original tooth to restore it, so a dental implant will not be necessary.
The process of tooth replacement or other dental restorations can significantly improve your smile. If you have questions or concerns about replacing a crowned tooth with a dental implant, then please reach out to our office.
Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbydesignhuntsville.com or call Smiles by Design, PC at (256) 660-3233 for an appointment in our Huntsville office.
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