Implant Crown Liverpool: The Final Step in Your Implant Journey

Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant is a multi-step process that requires precision, patience, and expert craftsmanship. While the surgical placement of the titanium implant root is crucial for the foundation, the part of the tooth you actually see, use, and smile with is the implant crown. At Your Family Dentist Liverpool, we understand that the final crown is what truly restores your confidence and your bite. Here is everything you need to know about the final, transformative step of your dental implant journey.

What is an Implant Crown?

A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into your jawbone. However, the implant itself sits below the gum line and is not visible. To complete the restoration, a custom-made artificial tooth must be attached to the top of the implant.

According to Your Family Dentist Liverpool, this visible portion is the implant crown. It is typically made from highly durable, aesthetic materials like porcelain or zirconia. The crown is connected to the titanium implant via a small connector piece called an abutment. Once the crown is securely attached, it looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth.

The In-House Lab Advantage for Perfect Crowns

The aesthetic success of your dental implant relies entirely on the quality of the crown. It must match the exact shade, shape, and translucency of your surrounding natural teeth so that it blends in seamlessly.

This is where Your Family Dentist Liverpool offers a distinct advantage: our state-of-the-art in-house dental laboratory. Most dental clinics must take physical impressions and send them away to an external lab, which can take weeks and sometimes results in crowns that do not match perfectly, requiring them to be sent back.

Because our master ceramicists are located right here in our Liverpool clinic, we control the entire process. We use advanced 3D digital intraoral scanners to take highly accurate digital impressions of your mouth. Our technicians then design your custom implant crown on a computer and mill it from a solid block of premium porcelain or zirconia. We can even custom-stain the crown while you wait, ensuring a perfect, undetectable match to your natural smile.

The Timeline: When Do You Get Your Crown?

The timing of your implant crown placement depends on how the implant was placed and how quickly your body heals.

1. The Healing Phase (Osseointegration)

After the titanium implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, it must be left to heal. During this period, which typically takes 3 to 6 months, the bone grows and fuses tightly around the implant in a process called osseointegration. This creates a rock-solid foundation that can withstand the heavy forces of chewing.

2. Placing the Abutment

Once the implant has fully fused with the bone, you will return to the clinic. We will attach the abutment (the connector piece) to the implant. In some cases, the abutment is placed at the same time as the initial surgery.

3. Attaching the Final Crown

Shortly after the abutment is in place, we will take digital scans to design your final crown. Once our in-house lab has milled and polished the crown, it is securely screwed or cemented onto the abutment, completing your new tooth.

Screw-Retained vs. Cemented Crowns

There are two primary ways an implant crown can be attached to the abutment:

• Screw-Retained: The crown is secured to the abutment with a tiny screw. The access hole for the screw is then filled with tooth-coloured composite resin so it is invisible. The main advantage is that the dentist can easily unscrew and remove the crown for maintenance or cleaning if ever required.
• Cemented: The crown is permanently glued to the abutment using strong dental cement, similar to how a traditional crown is placed over a natural tooth. This is often preferred for front teeth where aesthetics are the absolute highest priority.

FAQ: Implant Crowns

How do I clean my new implant crown?

You care for an implant crown exactly as you do your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss daily. While the crown itself cannot get a cavity, the gum tissue around the implant can still become infected (peri-implantitis) if plaque is allowed to build up, so diligent oral hygiene is essential.

How long will the implant crown last?

The titanium implant root is designed to last a lifetime. The porcelain or zirconia crown attached to it is incredibly strong and, with proper care and regular dental check-ups, can easily last 15 to 20 years before it may need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.

Book Your Implant Consultation Today

Complete your smile with a perfectly crafted, natural-looking implant crown.

Book a consultation at Your Family Dentist Liverpool — call us today on (02) 7256 4979 to discuss your dental implant options and experience the precision of our in-house laboratory.