Crown on a Natural Tooth or an Implant — Which Is Better?

June 4, 2022 · 3 min read

Ivan Burbyha, Chief Physician at Dobrozub

The war has changed a lot of approaches to treatment, and in some cases has even pushed certain stages to improve and speed up. But some fundamentals haven't changed much — namely, the choice between an implant and a crown.

Many patients try to figure out which is better — an implant or a crown on a natural tooth. But it's important to understand: it all depends on how damaged the tooth is and the type of implant placement. Let's break down the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment type.

Pros of a Crown on a Natural Tooth

• The support is your own tooth root — the most biocompatible, natural material for the body, with protective functions superior to an implant's.
• Price — no need to pay for placing an artificial root (implant) and an abutment.
• Procedure speed: a crown can be made and fitted in just a few days.

Cons of a Crown on a Natural Tooth

• Limited lifespan — around 13 years for the first fitting, with each subsequent replacement cutting that lifespan in half.
• If a post was previously placed in the root and it comes loose along with the crown, micro-cracks can form in the root canal, eventually leading to root fracture.
• If the choice is between an implant and a bridge — each supporting tooth takes on extra load from the missing tooth.
• A change in root color can show through the gums, and correcting it is difficult, sometimes impossible.

Pros of an Implant

• Strength — a titanium or titanium-zirconium root is many times stronger than a natural one.
• Reliability — with proper hygiene, an implant has no built-in expiration date.
• Aesthetics — modern gum regeneration methods deliver some of the best aesthetic results available.
• Speed — immediate implantation is done in a single day, from tooth extraction to a temporary crown in one visit.
• Fewer follow-up visits — an implant has a much lower fracture risk than a natural tooth root.

Cons of an Implant

• Cost — replacing one tooth costs roughly as much as fitting a crown, plus the implant procedure itself.
• Health-related limitations — for example, cancer with concurrent chemotherapy.
• Insufficient bone volume — solvable, but requires time to build up and heal.

Finally — ask your dentist about the condition of your tooth root and the warranty for each type of treatment. I wish you a well-informed decision. Be well!