Dental Crowns vs. Dental Implants | Which is Better?

Dental Implants and Dental Crowns - both are options that can be utilized to fill up the space of missing teeth. The recommended advice depends entirely on your dentist, to what procedure can be your best option for ideal dental health. Dental Implants work by attaching new teeth to the jawbone, while dental crowns support the natural teeth in your mouth. Both of these procedures almost cost the same expenses, but the final choice will always be yours, which is why you need to know the difference in detail.

Lee Dong Wook as a charming dentist in 'Hell is Different Individuals' -
upcoming Kdrama, 2019.

Dental Crowns
Most dental crowns these days are used for cosmetic purposes, and porcelain or ceramic materials are the first choice of everyone to fix over your pre-existing teeth. When teeth are missing, dental crowns work with the support of bridges. A fixed or cemented bridge fills the gap of the missing tooth. This protects your remaining teeth from breaking or falling off. In case of one missing teeth, two crowns are attached on the ends of a bridge, and replacement tooth is attached in the middle of the bridge for permanent and secure hold in the mouth.

Dental Implants
Contrary to the Dental Crown procedure, Dental Implants sound a bit more terrifying. When you hear about a titanium cylinder, blades and screws inside your jawbone, you feel afraid. This is one under anaesthesia, so there would not be any pain at the time, and implants are always recommended only in extreme cases of missing teeth and damage. After the procedure when the implants are fully attached to your jawbone, the dentist will attach a prosthetic tooth over the implant to create a natural feel as well as to maintain the health of the bone.

Dental Implants are pretty cemented in their place; meaning that they do not have the chance to slip or shift from their place. They are stable and rock hard at their place just like natural teeth, enabling you to eat, chew and speak normally and comfortably. Another advantage of dental implants is that they maintain the shape and contour of your face; because most people having missing teeth face the problem of face shape irregularity.

One Spring Night, 2019.

Implants vs Crown: Which is better?
When it comes to the big debate about dental crowns and implants, it can be pretty tough to figure out the winner. Dental crowns protect the teeth, whereas the dental implants work like natural teeth for regular functioning of the teeth. Implants are known to reduce any strain on teeth as well as offer a variety of combinations in the procedures and materials. Whereas dental crowns can feel a little straining as well as there is not much variety in combinations.

In case you are rooting for dental implants, you should know that in terms of maintenance, you actually might be right about it. This is because cleaning the dental implants is very easy, it works just like our normal teeth so we can clean them along with our regular toothbrush. These also demand less maintenance and are more functional in helping you to chew and eat food easily. This is one of the most prominent contrasts that Implants have with Dental Crowns. Dental Implants, if invested on high quality, can last over a lifetime! But Dental crowns need to be checked, maintained and even change after 15 years at most.

A little drawback here to point out is that dental implants have to be fixed by surgical methods, and dental crowns are relatively easier. So, a complete surgical procedure for a dental implant is necessary, whether you are comfortable with it or not.

I'd choose this dentist any day. :)

Conclusion
In case you are suffering from significant damage such as missing teeth or jaw bone loss, dental implants are highly recommended as they are bound to fix your jawbone and fill the gap of missing teeth as well. This procedure will take about 3 to four appointments to the doctor. The dental implants need to be fixed along with healthy bone for good results and strong teeth set. In case you are suffering from chipped teeth or damaged teeth, dental crowns are ideal. These are less costly, easier to get, less painful and quicker to get done with. The dental crown procedure causes about 2 to 3 visits to the dentist at most. In case you are low on cash, you can go for the crowns, but other than that, dental implants are ideal as they function like natural teeth.

Hello 2017, Goodbye Baby Teeth!

For years, I took pride in my son's picture-perfect teeth. All the more because I take extra care of his pearly whites and pay particular attention to his dental health. I take him to the dentist at least twice a year, veer him away from candies (though I allow him to binge a little during Halloween), and make him enjoy brushing whether with an ordinary toothbrush or the travel electric toothbrush with case that he always takes along whenever we go abroad.

Yue at 20 months old.

But alas, that picture-perfect smile could only last for so long! He was two months shy of his seventh birthday when one of his teeth - one of the maxillary central incisors - first fell out. From then on, his teeth alignment went from perfectly aligned to a complete disarray.

September 2015.

Three of his lower incisors fell out in the months to follow, but the permanent teeth that replaced them seemed to be leaning towards different directions which made them look crooked. To date, he has lost only five baby teeth, including one of his maxillary central incisors. And mind you, the permanent maxillary incisor erupted first before that baby tooth came out. The same thing goes for his other maxillary central incisor - the permanent teeth has already erupted, and we're still waiting for that wiggly baby tooth to finally fall off.

Christmas 2016.

I was actually worried that there might be something wrong with my son's tooth transition, so I asked my dentist about it. She stated that there's no cause for concern, and that in contrast, I should be relieved that my son's teeth are pretty strong. Also, the timing of tooth transition varies between children, and while Yue's may seem to be a bit late than some of his peers, I need not be worried since he only turned eight last November.

She also assured me that the gaps in between his teeth are normal during Yue's age. This is the transitional period that dentists refer to as the 'ugly ducking stage'. And under normal circumstances, when the upper jaw develops well and the canines on both sides erupt, the front teeth will align with the rest and the gap will close up.

With regards to permanent teeth erupting first, she told me that patience is the key and the baby teeth will exfoliate by itself. The tip of the tongue will push the permanent front tooth forward into the space vacated by the baby tooth. Therefore, there is no need to extract the deciduous front tooth.

Have you had the same experience with your kids' teeth and tooth transition? How did you go about it?

Top Tips to Improve Your Smile.

The way your teeth look plays a huge role in how you look when you smile, speak and generally open your mouth. If you’re like a lot of people though, you don’t really love the way your teeth look. Perhaps you never really have.

While there are some options out there for many people, not everybody knows what they can do to improve their smile. Some things might be common sense, but everybody needs a reminder sometimes.

Keep reading to learn a few tips you can use to improve your smile. A better smile will also lead to increased confidence and self-esteem, which is something everybody could use from time to time.

Photo credit: Rockstar White.

Floss Often
Everybody knows that they are supposed to be flossing at least once per day. Still, many people slack off when it comes to using the dental floss.

If you want the healthiest possible teeth, you want to be flossing at least once before bed. Ideally, you should be flossing about twice per day, usually after lunch and again before bed. Do this along with brushing regularly and you’ll see your teeth become healthier in relatively short order.

Eat Right
Eating healthy, nutritious food is something you already know you should do. Perhaps you even strive toward that goal every single day and get pretty close most of the time. That doesn’t mean you’re eating all of the right foods for your teeth.

Apples, for example, are known to help clean the teeth. This makes them an ideal afternoon snack when you may not be able to brush until a few hours later. Protein-rich foods like chicken are also excellent for your teeth. When considering your meals, don’t forget about your dental health. There’s more to it than just brushing and flossing after everything you eat.

Consider Cosmetic Work
There are a lot of people who get cosmetic dentistry in Brooklyn, and if it’s something you’re considering, there’s no shortage of qualified dentists in your area. What you choose to get done doesn’t have to completely break the bank either.

From a simple whitening treatment, to partial veneers and more, there are lots of options your dentist can provide to you these days. Don’t be afraid to seek consultations for cosmetic dentistry to improve your appearance and how you feel about your teeth.

A Peaceful Day at the Dental Clinic. Not!

Days are always crazy at the dental office, and today was no exception. The waiting room was buzzing as usual. The lady on my right was talking to gossiping with another lady across the room, and now everyone seated at the waiting area knows that their friend Cynthia is sort-of-having-an-affair with her son's swimming instructor.

Meanwhile, on my left, is a kid about my son's age who has been whining for the last thirty minutes or so. I can not, for the life of me, understand what he's complaining about as his stammer is completely unintelligible to me. On top of that, his voice is so shrill that everytime he spoke, it felt like a drill was boring holes into my molar.

Photo credit: Creative Smiles.

As if this madness is not enough, the dental assistant was practically all over the place - going inside and outside of the treatment room every five minutes or so, scurrying towards the stock room, making a beeline for the phone to answer a call, back to the stock room, and then back to the treatment room. Very distracting, really. If only they had dental office two way radios, her life would be a lot easier. Both she and my dentist would be able to work more efficiently with less turnaround time. Plus I can watch the telly in the waiting room in peace. No secretary or dental hygienist blocking my view of Arirang World. Haha!

Dental Health, and Instant Smiles.

For the past five years, I've been through all sorts of dental procedures. From wearing braces and splints, then shifting to retainers and bridges, getting treatment for my temporomandibular joint (TMJ), undergoing gum surgery - I've done it all.

It's not something to be happy about or proud of, actually. Not being able to eat properly because of the braces, having to take a leave from work for my jaw therapy sessions, and the excruciating pain of going under the knife... they're not fun, I tell you. But I had to do it, because my health was at risk.

If only I had taken extra care of my teeth early on, I could have avoided all these. As a child, I was deathly afraid of the dentist, and just the thought of sitting on the dentist's chair mortified me. I avoided dental check-ups as much as I could, and would throw a nasty fit if coerced. Ah, if only I knew better back then!

Now that I'm a mother, I pay particular attention to my family's dental health - to my son, most of all. I definitely wouldn't want him to go through the same procedures as I did. It's all about regular check-ups to the dentist, actually. If only our previous family dentist had a warm and pleasant smile such as the montreal dentist, then there would have been no reason for me to avoid dental examinations. I could have even begged my Mum to take me to the dentist, for all I know.

Cosmetic Dentistry Made Affordable.

Earlier today, I received a call from my dentist reminding me of next week's appointment. It's for my routine check-up and annual oral prophylaxis, and for my long overdue gingivectomy. I was supposed to have it done by mid-February, but look it's April Fools already. And I haven't had it yet! If not for the visa requirement, I could have just hopped on a plane and have my cosmetic dentistry Costa Rica done. That country is now gaining popularity because of the low-cost treatments available in the country. They're way, way cheaper compared to the services in US and Canada; so cheap that even all on 4 implants Costa Rica wouldn't create a gaping hole in my monthly budget.

Honestly, I was hoping the dentist would forget to call. Not that I'm afraid of the dentist, though. After five years of wearing braces and several other dental devices, plus two previous surgical procedures (including a previous gingivectomy), I've pretty much gotten over my fear of dentists and my seemingly silly dental anxiety.

What I'm more concerned about are the expenses this whole gingivectomy thing will incur. Dental procedures don't come cheap, you know. Just thinking about how much I've spent on my teeth for the past five years makes me cringe. I could have actually bought a second-hand car with that amount!

Love Your Teeth, and Your Cosmetic Dentist!

As a child, I grew up with a gripping fear of dentists. I used to associate the dentist chair with excruciating pain, like most kids do. But because I also had an innate blood phobia, my aversion for dentists was more intense compared to my peers. Back then, I would avoid dental procedures of any kind - including something as simple as a routine annual check-up.

By the time I graduated from college, my teeth were in a pretty bad shape. I had a crooked incisor, an unflattering overbite, and gums that bleed each time I brush my teeth. In short, my pearly whites were in dire need of medical attention. As soon as I got my first paycheck from my first job, I sought the help of a cosmetic dentist NYC.

For the next five years, I went through a series of dental procedures. From metal-wired braces, bite splints, retainers, dental bridges, aligners - I've worn them all. Dealing with all these dental devices had not been easy;  there were instances when eating, chewing, and even merely opening my mouth proved to be bothersome and painful.

Even more agonizing were the two surgical procedures that I had to go through. The first one was for my unerupted incisor, where my dentist had to remove my milk tooth and literally scrape my gums open so that the incisor could erupt properly. And as if that was not tormentous enough, I had gingivectomy, too. It's the procedure of removing and reshaping diseased gum tissue to get rid of pockets between the gums and teeth. If not for these procedures, my teeth wouldn't be able to align properly, and my gums would be a host for disease-causing bacteria. I had to endure a lot of pain, but I'm grateful towards my cosmetic dentist for a job well done.

Oh my, what big teeth you have!

I wouldn't want my son to experience all these in future, which is why I give extra attention to his teeth. At this point, he's already had two dental examinations. I also take him along whenever I go to the dentist for my routine monthly check-up. It's a good thing he's showing no signs of fear or aversion towards our dentist. At least with his fearlessness, we could avoid possible dental problems and even more medical expenses in the future.


Disclaimer: This entry is part of a Bucks2Blog campaign. Although compensated for writing this post, the thoughts, views, and opinions stated here are entirely my own.

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