When dealing with a broken or missing tooth, patients often wonder what the right treatment for their smile is. Today we're going to discuss the differences between tooth implants and dental crowns in Huntsville, so you can better understand your treatment needs and make educated decisions for your smile.

When Do I Need a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are an ideal restoration for a tooth that is still intact with a healthy root but may be decayed, fractured, or damaged beyond what a dental filling can repair. A crown is designed to fit over your remaining tooth structure to replace your damaged tooth while protecting the integrity of your root.

Your dentist may recommend a crown for these situations:

• To replace an old restoration that is broken or lost
• To cover and strengthen a broken or fractured tooth
• To repair a tooth damaged by severe tooth decay
• To rebuild a tooth that has had root canal treatment

Crowns are also the final restoration for a single tooth dental implant; however, a dental implant is designed to replace an entire missing tooth, including its root.

When Do I Need a Dental Implant?

Dental implants in Huntsville are the gold standard in tooth replacement because they restore both the lost root and tooth, which means they closely mimic the structure and function of your natural tooth.

Choosing an implant for tooth replacement also means that you're protecting your dental health since the implant acts as a replacement root keeping your jawbone healthy and stimulated for regrowth. This keeps your bone from deteriorating without a root to support.

Which Is Better for Me – a Dental Crown, or Implant?

The answer to this question is that it depends on your treatment needs. Dr. King can discuss your options with you if you need to replace one or more missing teeth or have a tooth damaged and in need of repair.

Contact your Huntsville dentist today at (256) 880-1884 to schedule a smile evaluation.

Related Services: Dental Implants