Crown

The crown is the visible part of an implant restoration — the tooth-shaped component that sits above the gum line. It is attached to the abutment, which connects to the titanium implant fixture in the bone. The crown is what gives the implant the appearance and function of a natural tooth.

Materials

• Zirconia: Most common for implant crowns. Extremely strong, tooth-coloured, and excellent aesthetics. Can be monolithic (one solid block) or layered with porcelain for enhanced aesthetics.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Less commonly used today. A metal substructure covered with porcelain. Durable but the metal margin can show at the gum line over time.
• PMMA (acrylic): Used for temporary crowns during the healing phase. Less durable but adequate while the implant integrates.

How it is made

Impressions or digital scans are taken and sent to a dental laboratory. Technicians craft the crown to match the shape, size, and shade of your adjacent teeth using CAD/CAM technology. Modern digital workflows allow very precise and natural-looking results.

Lifespan

Implant crowns typically last 15–25 years before replacement may be needed. The implant fixture itself, with proper care, should last a lifetime.

Screw-retained vs cement-retained

Crowns can be fixed to the abutment using dental cement (cement-retained) or a small screw through the top of the crown (screw-retained). Screw-retained crowns are retrievable — an advantage if adjustment or replacement is ever needed.