Implant Crown Restoration
in Richmond, TX
Complete your dental implant with a custom crown that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth. Dr. Jasmine and Dr. Sonny Naderi craft precision restorations with meticulous attention to aesthetics — delivering a seamless finish to your implant journey.
What Is an Implant Crown?
An implant crown is the visible, tooth-shaped restoration that attaches to a dental implant to complete your tooth replacement. While the dental implant itself is a titanium post surgically placed in your jawbone to serve as an artificial root, the implant crown is the custom-made "tooth" portion that sits above your gum line. Together, the implant and crown create a complete, permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions exactly like your natural teeth.
At Best Dental in Richmond, TX, Drs. Jasmine and Sonny Naderi design and place implant crowns with meticulous attention to aesthetics and function. Each crown is custom-crafted to match your natural teeth in color, shape, size, and translucency — the result is so natural that most people, including you, won't be able to distinguish your implant crown from the real thing. With over 1,000 dental implants placed throughout their careers, our doctors bring deep experience to every restoration.
Implant crowns differ from traditional dental crowns in one key way: instead of being cemented onto a prepared natural tooth, implant crowns attach to the implant via a small connector called an abutment. This creates a stronger, more stable restoration that stands completely independently — just like a natural tooth — without relying on or affecting adjacent teeth.
Understanding Implant Crown Components
A complete dental implant restoration is a three-part system. Understanding each component helps you make informed decisions about your care.
The Three-Part Implant System
- Dental Implant (fixture) — titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone, serving as an artificial tooth root. Integrates with bone through osseointegration over 3–6 months, creating a permanent, stable foundation.
- Abutment (connector) — small connector piece that screws into the top of the implant and protrudes through gum tissue. Serves as the attachment point for the crown. Can be titanium, gold, or tooth-colored zirconia.
- Implant Crown (restoration) — the custom-made artificial tooth that attaches to the abutment. The visible portion of your replacement. Made from porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal to match your smile.
How the Crown Attaches
Implant crowns connect to the abutment using one of two methods. Screw-retained crowns pass a tiny screw through the crown and into the abutment, securing it firmly in place. The small access hole is filled with tooth-colored composite. This approach allows easy removal for maintenance without damaging the crown. Cement-retained crowns are permanently cemented onto the abutment — no visible access hole, potentially better aesthetics, but more difficult to remove if future repairs are needed.
Dr. Naderi will recommend the best attachment method for your specific case, taking into account your bite forces, aesthetic requirements, and long-term maintenance goals.
Why Choose an Implant Crown?
Implant crowns are the gold standard for completing a tooth replacement — here's what sets them apart from every other restoration option.
Looks Completely Natural
Custom-designed to match your natural teeth in color, shape, size, and translucency. Porcelain mimics enamel's light-reflecting properties — nobody will know you have an implant, not even you.
Full Chewing Function
Eat steak, apples, corn on the cob — anything you want. Implant crowns withstand normal biting forces without loosening or shifting. Speak and laugh with complete confidence.
Built to Last
Implant crowns last 15–25+ years or even a lifetime with proper care. Unlike bridges requiring replacement every 10–15 years, a well-maintained implant crown is a true long-term investment.
Preserves Jawbone
The implant post stimulates jawbone like natural tooth roots, preventing the bone loss that occurs with missing teeth. Maintains your facial structure and prevents the sunken look common in long-term tooth loss.
Effortless Maintenance
Care for your implant crown exactly like natural teeth — brush twice daily, floss once daily. No adhesives, no overnight soaking, no special routines. Normal oral hygiene is all it takes.
Protects Adjacent Teeth
Unlike dental bridges that require grinding down healthy neighboring teeth, implant crowns stand completely independently. Surrounding teeth remain untouched and healthy.
The Implant Crown Process
From implant placement to final crown — here's every step of your restoration journey at Best Dental.
Implant Placement & Healing
First, the dental implant post is surgically placed in your jawbone. Over 3–6 months, the implant integrates with bone through osseointegration. You may wear a temporary restoration during this period. Once healing is confirmed, you're ready for crown restoration.
Abutment Placement
In a brief appointment, Dr. Naderi attaches the abutment to the top of your healed implant. It is secured with a small screw and protrudes gently through gum tissue. The gums are then allowed to heal around the abutment for 1–2 weeks, creating natural, healthy tissue contours.
Impressions & Shade Matching
Dr. Naderi takes precise impressions — or uses digital scanning for even greater accuracy — capturing the exact position of your implant, surrounding teeth, and bite relationship. Professional shade guides are used to ensure your crown color matches your adjacent teeth perfectly.
Custom Crown Fabrication
A skilled dental laboratory technician crafts your custom crown based on Dr. Naderi's specifications and impressions. The crown is designed to match your natural teeth aesthetically while providing optimal function and bite. Fabrication typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Crown Placement & Fitting
When your crown is ready, Dr. Naderi carefully positions it onto the abutment, checking fit, bite, and appearance. Any minor adjustments are made chairside. Once everything is perfect, the crown is permanently secured — either screwed or cemented in place.
Follow-Up & Ongoing Care
A follow-up appointment ensures your crown is functioning properly and your bite is comfortable. Dr. Naderi checks tissue health around the implant and makes any fine adjustments needed. You'll receive detailed care instructions to maximize your crown's lifespan.
Implant Crown Materials
The right crown material depends on where the tooth is located, how much chewing force it bears, and your aesthetic priorities. Dr. Naderi will guide you to the best choice for your case.
All-Porcelain (Ceramic)
Best Aesthetics- Most natural-looking option available
- Translucency mimics natural enamel beautifully
- Ideal for front teeth where appearance matters most
- Completely metal-free — great for allergy-sensitive patients
- Excellent biocompatibility with gum tissue
- Slightly less strong than zirconia
- Best choice for highly visible teeth
Zirconia
Strongest & Most Durable- Extremely strong and fracture-resistant
- Ideal for back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces
- Metal-free yet exceptionally durable
- Excellent aesthetics (slightly less translucent than porcelain)
- Biocompatible and hypoallergenic
- Best option for teeth-grinders (bruxism)
- Outstanding long-term durability
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
Traditional & Reliable- Metal substructure provides exceptional strength
- Porcelain exterior delivers a natural appearance
- Proven track record of long-term success
- Generally more affordable than all-ceramic options
- Metal may occasionally show at the gum line
- Well-suited for back teeth
- A dependable, time-tested restoration
💡 Which Material Is Right for You?
Front teeth benefit most from all-porcelain for maximum aesthetics. Back teeth — especially molars — are best served by zirconia for strength under heavy chewing forces. Patients with teeth-grinding habits should strongly consider zirconia for its superior fracture resistance. During your consultation, Dr. Naderi will recommend the ideal material based on tooth location, bite forces, and your personal aesthetic and budget goals.
Care & Longevity
Implant crowns typically last 15–25 years or longer with proper care — and many patients never need crown replacement at all. The titanium implant post itself can last a lifetime. The crown may eventually need replacement due to normal wear or aesthetic changes as surrounding teeth age, but with good habits, you can maximize its lifespan significantly.
Daily Care Instructions
- Brush twice daily — use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Clean your implant crown exactly like natural teeth — same technique, same frequency.
- Floss once daily — clean between your implant crown and adjacent teeth to prevent gum disease. Regular floss or a water flosser both work well.
- Focus on the gum line — pay close attention to where the crown meets the gum. Bacterial accumulation here can lead to peri-implantitis, the leading threat to implant health.
- Avoid extremely hard foods — don't chew ice, hard candy, or use your teeth as tools. Implant crowns are strong, but excessive force can crack porcelain.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind — teeth grinding wears crowns prematurely and can damage implants. A custom nightguard protects your investment while you sleep.
- Attend regular checkups — professional cleanings every 6 months remove buildup around implants that brushing can miss. Dr. Naderi monitors crown integrity and implant health at every visit.
- Don't smoke — smoking dramatically increases the risk of peri-implantitis and implant failure. It is the single most impactful lifestyle factor for implant longevity.
Signs Your Crown May Need Attention
Contact Best Dental promptly if you notice any of the following: your crown feels loose or moves when touched; a visible crack or chip in the porcelain; pain, tenderness, or sensitivity around the implant; red, swollen, or bleeding gums around the crown; food consistently getting stuck around the implant; or your crown no longer matches the color of surrounding teeth. Early intervention keeps small issues from becoming serious complications.
⚠️ Preventing Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is gum disease around dental implants — it is the number one threat to long-term implant success. Prevent it through meticulous home care (brush and floss around your implant crown daily) and professional cleanings every six months. Caught early, peri-implantitis is treatable. Left untreated, it can cause bone loss and implant failure. Don't skip your dental appointments.
Cost & Insurance
Best Dental keeps implant crown pricing transparent and straightforward — no hidden fees, no surprise charges. Here's exactly what you can expect. For more information about financing, visit our financing page.
Best Dental Implant Crown Pricing
Crown pricing covers custom fabrication, all adjustment appointments, and follow-up care. Implant surgery (titanium post placement) is a separate procedure — see our implant pricing page for full details.
Insurance Coverage
Dental insurance coverage for implant crowns varies significantly by plan. The crown portion is often covered at 50% if your plan covers crowns as a major procedure. The implant post and abutment are frequently not covered or carry limited benefits — many insurers classify implants as elective. Coverage is generally better when tooth loss resulted from accident, trauma, or a congenital condition.
Most plans carry annual maximums of $1,000–$2,000, which may not cover the entire treatment in one year. Our billing specialists will verify your specific dental insurance benefits and help you maximize available coverage before treatment begins.
Flexible Payment Options
- CareCredit Healthcare Financing — extended payment plans with 0% or low interest for qualified applicants. Break your restoration into manageable monthly payments. Learn about financing.
- In-House Payment Plans — flexible arrangements tailored to your budget with no credit check required.
- Package Pricing — bundled implant-to-crown pricing available for better overall value when completing the full restoration at Best Dental.
- Dental Discount Plan — reduced rates for uninsured patients through our exclusive Dental Discount Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
Complete Your Implant with a Beautiful Crown
Transform your dental implant into a fully functional, natural-looking tooth. Dr. Jasmine and Dr. Sonny Naderi combine 1,000+ implants of experience with artistic precision to create crowns that integrate seamlessly with your smile. Schedule your consultation today.
