Crown and bridge - retained by implants
How is a bridge and crown made on an implant?
The crown or bridge fixed on implants is similar to traditional methods, such as dental crowns or bridges, with the difference being that the abutment is an implant rather than a natural tooth. In this case, the chewing force is borne by the dental implant. There are two types of connections between the implant and the crown/bridge: fixed adhesive solutions and screw-retained prosthetics.
1. Implant bridge and implant crown - cement-based adhesion
In this solution, in addition to the inserted implant, two components are needed to establish the crown-implant connection. The first is the abutment fixed in the implant (implant head), which is shaped like a prepared (filed-down tooth) tooth. This is secured with a special screw. The completed crown is then bonded to this abutment. The abutment can be made of metal (titanium) or metal-free materials (zirconium dioxide).
In the traditional, adhesive method, post-placement adjustment of the dental prosthesis is challenging. This is because the prosthesis can only be removed by damaging it.
2. Screw-retained crown, bridge
In the screw-retained prosthesis, apart from the inserted implant, only one component is needed. An abutment is not used in this case.
When a crown is secured to an implant, the completed crown is attached to the implant with a single through-screw. This screw is tightened with the appropriate force in the mouth once the prosthesis is completed, stabilizing the prosthesis. After securing, the screw access hole is sealed with a special material to hide it.
A major advantage of the screw-retained solution is that it can be easily removed without damaging the prosthesis if needed, and can be reattached after necessary adjustments are made.
Screw-retained bridge with multi-unit solution
When planning a dental bridge on implants, we can use a multi-unit implant bridge solution. In this method, we use one additional component compared to the previous procedure. This extra component is the multi-unit element, which is screwed into the implant. This solution effectively elevates the prosthesis from the implant level to the screwed-in multi-unit level. The major advantage is that it allows for easier correction of alignment discrepancies. In case of damage or screw breakage, the multi-unit element will be the part that fails, not the implant.
If you are considering implant-supported prosthetics or wish to have crowns or bridges made for already placed implants, simply contact us at 053 930 1323 to schedule an appointment.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about crown and bridge on implants
Can a zirconia crown be made for an implant?
Of course, it is possible to make the crown for an implant from zirconia or metal-ceramic.
Is a screw-retained crown better than a cemented one for implants?
A major advantage of screw-retained prosthetics is that they can be removed from the implant without damage in case of a problem. This is much more comfortable for patients compared to cutting off the crown.
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