Implant Crowns in Kansas City and Leawood

An implant crown is a custom-made artificial tooth used to complete a single-tooth dental implant restoration. It is designed to restore the appearance and function of a missing tooth without relying on the neighboring teeth for support.

An implant-supported tooth normally consists of three separate components:

The Dental Implant

The dental implant is the fixture positioned within the jawbone. It acts as an artificial tooth root and provides the foundation for the replacement tooth.

The Abutment

The abutment is the connecting component between the dental implant and the crown. Depending on the implant system and clinical situation, it may be a separate custom-made or prefabricated component.

The Implant Crown

The implant crown is the visible portion of the replacement tooth. It is shaped and shaded to complement the surrounding teeth and is attached to the implant through the abutment.

An implant crown is not the same as the dental implant itself. The implant is the supporting fixture below the gumline, while the crown is the part that looks and functions like a tooth above the gumline.

An implant crown replaces a missing tooth and is supported by a dental implant. A conventional dental crown, including a CEREC crown, is placed over a prepared natural tooth that remains in the mouth.

If your natural tooth can be predictably restored, a same-day CEREC crown or another restorative treatment may be recommended. If the tooth is missing or cannot be retained, a dental implant and implant crown may be considered.

You may be a candidate for an implant crown if you:

• Already have a healed dental implant that is ready for its final restoration

• Have a missing tooth and are considering the complete dental implant process

• Have an implant crown that is chipped, worn, loose or damaged

• Need an implant crown replaced while retaining a healthy, stable implant

• Have healthy or manageable gum tissue around the implant

• Can maintain appropriate oral hygiene and attend ongoing dental reviews

Before the crown can be fitted, the implant must be stable and ready to support the restoration. Your dentist will also assess your gums, bone, bite, neighboring teeth, medical history and the position of the implant.

If implant placement has not yet taken place, our team will explain the stages involved and whether the surgical and restorative phases can be completed at our office or coordinated with another clinician.

The implant crown process depends on whether your dental implant has already been placed and healed. Restoring an existing implant is generally a shorter process than completing the entire treatment from tooth removal or implant placement.

1. Assessment and Implant Evaluation

Your dentist will examine the implant site, surrounding gum tissue, neighboring teeth and bite. Dental imaging and information about the implant system may also be reviewed.

If the implant was recently placed, the final crown will not normally be attached until the implant is considered sufficiently integrated and stable. Healing times vary between patients, so readiness must be assessed individually.

2. Digital Scan or Dental Impression

Once the implant is ready to be restored, a digital scan or dental impression is used to record the implant position, gum contours, surrounding teeth and bite.

These records allow the crown and any necessary abutment to be designed for the individual implant site.

3. Crown Fabrication and Evaluation

The implant crown is created using the selected restorative material. Its shape, shade, fit and relationship with the neighboring teeth and gums are evaluated before final attachment.

Some implant crowns require laboratory fabrication and more than one appointment. Our team will explain the anticipated process and timeline for your particular restoration.

4. Attaching the Crown and Checking Your Bite

The completed crown is attached to the implant or abutment using the retention method selected for your case.

Your dentist will check the crown’s fit, appearance, contact with the neighboring teeth and relationship with your bite. Small adjustments may be made to help the crown function comfortably.

You will also receive instructions for cleaning and maintaining the completed restoration.

Implant crowns may be made from zirconia, ceramic, porcelain-based materials or other dental materials. The most appropriate material depends on factors including:

• Whether the implant is at the front or back of the mouth
• The appearance and color of the surrounding teeth
• The strength required for your bite
• The position and angle of the implant
• The amount of space available for the restoration
• Teeth grinding or clenching
• The ability to maintain or retrieve the restoration

An implant crown may be screw-retained or cement-retained.

Screw-Retained Implant Crowns

A screw-retained crown is secured using a small screw that passes through an access channel in the restoration. The access channel is covered after the crown has been attached.

This approach can make the restoration easier to retrieve if it requires maintenance, adjustment or repair.

Cement-Retained Implant Crowns

A cement-retained crown is attached to an abutment using dental cement. This approach avoids a screw-access channel through the visible surface of the crown.

The position of the implant, health of the gums and ability to remove excess cement must be considered when selecting this method.

Your dentist will explain which material and attachment method are appropriate for your implant system, bite and restorative needs.

An implant crown is intended to provide a long-term replacement for a missing tooth, but no crown has a guaranteed lifespan.

Its longevity depends on factors including:

• The material used to create the crown

• The position of the implant

• The strength and balance of your bite

• Teeth grinding or clenching

• The health of the surrounding gums and bone

• Daily oral hygiene

• Smoking and general health

• Regular dental examinations and professional maintenance

The implant fixture and crown are separate components. Even if the implant remains healthy and stable, the crown or connecting components may eventually become worn, chipped, damaged or loose and require repair or replacement.

An implant crown cannot develop a cavity, but plaque can still collect around the restoration. Without effective cleaning, the surrounding gums and supporting bone can become inflamed or diseased.

Daily Implant Crown Care

To care for your implant crown:

• Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Clean around and between the implant crown every day
• Use floss, interdental brushes or another cleaning aid recommended by your dental team
• Avoid using the crown to open packaging or bite hard objects
• Wear a night guard if one has been prescribed
• Attend regular dental examinations and professional cleanings

Signs Your Implant Crown Needs Attention

Contact us if you notice:

• Movement or looseness
• A chipped or fractured crown
• A change in the way your teeth meet
• Pain or discomfort when biting
• Bleeding or swelling around the implant
• A persistent unpleasant taste
• Difficulty cleaning around the restoration

Do not attempt to tighten or glue a loose implant crown yourself. Early professional assessment may prevent a minor restorative problem from becoming more complicated.

Herre Holistic Dental KC provides implant crown assessments and restorative care from our Leawood office for patients throughout the Kansas City area.

Individualized Implant Assessment

We assess the condition of the implant, surrounding gum tissue, bite and neighboring teeth before recommending a restoration. This helps ensure that the proposed crown is appropriate for the implant and your wider oral health.

Restorative Treatment Planning

An implant crown involves more than creating a replacement tooth. Its material, shape, connection and position must work with your implant system, gums, bite and surrounding teeth.

Our team will explain the components required and how each stage contributes to the final restoration.

Coordination With Other Dental Professionals

If another clinician placed your implant, please provide any available treatment records or details about the implant system. This information can help us evaluate compatibility and plan your restoration.

When another dental professional needs to be involved, our team will explain why and help coordinate the appropriate next step.

Care From an Established Leawood Practice

Herre Holistic Dental KC has served Leawood-area families across three generations, with the practice’s history beginning in 1953.

Our approach considers the implant crown alongside your bite, gum health, neighboring teeth and overall oral function.

If you have a healed implant that is ready for its final crown, an implant restoration that feels loose or damaged, or a missing tooth you would like to replace, schedule an evaluation at Herre Holistic Dental KC.

Our team will assess the implant site, gum health, bite and restorative requirements before explaining the appropriate treatment options.

Call us at 913-491-4466 or schedule a consultation at our Leawood, KS office.