So you’ve been brushing twice a day, rinsing, and flossing, and you have a broken tooth? Well, there are over 200,000 dentists in the US who can offer you some help on that, but they may give you some conflicting advice.

When it comes to a broken tooth, there are a few options that each come with their own set of risks and benefits. So, let’s ask the ultimate question: dental implant vs crown, which is better?

Pros And Cons Of A Dental Implant

Dental implants are simply dental crowns attached to a rod and implanted in your jaw. A dental crown is simply a replacement tooth made up of a number of materials, most commonly porcelain or metal alloys. Porcelain may be reinforced with metal as well. You can always look into the different crown materials to see what’s right for you!

These crowns are specifically made to fit the unique shape of your mouth and fill the necessary gap flawlessly. Implants are simply permanent replacement teeth that require an invasive procedure or surgery to install. Here are some of the pros and cons.

Benefits

The biggest benefit of a dental implant is quality. There is a titanium rod that is secured into your jaw as if it were the root of your tooth, which can actually prevent bone loss and increase your jaw health and facial support.

You’ll also be able to treat the implant as if it were any other tooth. There’s no dental cement or anything you need to worry about. It’s as strong, if not stronger, than the rest of your existing teeth, leading to maximal comfort in your daily activities. They’re also extremely hygenic by not allowing access to the root of your tooth and fitting in place like your previous tooth.

On the other end of the rod, a crown is secured in place. These implants typically last decades, and often for an entire lifetime. Bridges and other crowns can break or wear out with your regular eating habits, but the installation of the titanium is almost certainly permanent.

Downsides

The first and most obvious downside of dental implants is that they are expensive. Not only can an implant cost between $1,500 and $5,000, but dental insurance doesn’t always cover the cost of the procedure.

In many cases, dental insurance policies have maximum coverage on major procedures of around $1,200 for the first year of insurance, and it increases every year after that. If your policy is new, look into the coverage option for this procedure before going through with it, if you don’t have the money on hand for the procedure.

However, in the event that something does go wrong, or if there are any complications, there will need to be a follow-up invasive procedure to correct the issue at hand. Keep in mind, this is unlikely to happen. However, different people’s bodies may react differently to the new implant.

The other downside is that while this procedure only needs to be done once, it is more invasive than a regular crown procedure, and it will likely have a more painful or uncomfortable recovery process.  Feel free to look more into what to expect for your dental implant procedure.

Pros And Cons Of A Crown

Dental crowns, or dental bridges, are replacement teeth that are no secured into your jaw like an implant. They may be secured to the natural tooth that already exists, the surrounding teeth, or even the gums.

These procedures are extremely common, and any dentist you meet will likely have plenty of experience and comfort in performing them. It can even be as simple as putting a cap on a broken tooth. How common are they, exactly? Well, an estimated 781 people for every 100,000 receive one of these procedures every year in the US.

Benefits

The obvious benefit of a crown or a bridge is that it’s more affordable upfront. You may not have to take out any loans or credits to cover it, and your dental insurance may even be able to cover the entire cost of the procedure, minus your copay. Most insurance policies cover the cost of crowns up to the amount of the maximum annual benefit.

The other benefit is that it’s a less-invasive procedure, which means you’ll likely experience little to no pain or discomfort after the procedure is complete. The only part of recovery is the time waiting to eat in order to allow the dental cement to dry! It’s a simple procedure that won’t interrupt your life much at all.

Downsides

The main downside of a dental crown is that they don’t last as long. A crown can be broken or worn out within 5 to 15 years, leading to the need for another procedure. Over time, this leads to more money than the upfront cost of a dental implant.

The other downside is that they are simply easier to break. 5 to 15 years is pretty standard but eating a lot of hard or acidic food can speed up the process and wear out the dental cement.

Dental Implant vs Crown – Which Is Better?

In the ultimate face-off of dental implant vs crown, the clear winner is a dental implant but only if you can afford it and if you’re comfortable with that kind of procedure. They last a lot longer and save you money in the long run. Keep your teeth healthy, your smile shining, and reach out with any dental questions you have!