When a dental implant replaces a single tooth, the prosthetic consists of an artificial tooth called a crown. It looks just like a natural tooth, made to match the shape, size, and color of the existing teeth. When the crown is attached to the implant via the abutment, it must be tightened down to the appropriate degree for success.
How tight should a crown be on a dental implant? Here’s what research has shown to be ideal.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth structure that completely replaces a tooth. It is surgically implanted in the jaw in the socket where the natural tooth was. The root portion of the implant is a post made of titanium with fine ridges to encourage thorough fusion with the bone of your jaw. Once the implant has bonded with the bone it can last for a lifetime, providing the bite strength of a natural tooth.
What is the Process for Dental Implant Placement?
Dental implant placement involves the following steps:
- Placement of the implant. The first step is to place the implant in the jaw bone. After this is completed the gum tissue will need to heal and the implant will need to fuse with the bone before the next step. This can take a few months.
- Attaching the abutment. Once the implant has fused with the jaw bone and the gum tissue is fully healed, the abutment can be attached. This is the portion that extends above the gum line to connect with the prosthetic. The gum tissue will need time to heal again before the next step. A few weeks should be a sufficient time for healing from this step.
- Attaching the prosthetic. The prosthetic portion of a dental implant will be added last. It may be a crown, a bridge, or a set of dentures.
What is the Ideal Torque Pressure for the Crown?
When a dental implant is used to replace a single tooth, the prosthetic portion is a dental crown. A crown is an artificial tooth made of porcelain in most cases. Porcelain resembles natural tooth material and can be made to match the color of your existing teeth.
The crown must be attached to the abutment using a specific amount of pressure. If the crown is too tight or too loose it could cause the implant to fail. An article published by the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation suggests that the insertion torque for a dental implant crown should exceed 30 Ncm, but not exceed 50 Ncm for best results.
What Happens if the Crown is Too Tight?
If the crown is tightened down too much it could put excess pressure on the implant, which can damage the jaw bone and restrict blood flow to the area. It can delay healing and cause an implant that is still fusing with the bone to become loosened.
What Happens if the Crown is Too Loose?
If the crown is not tightened down enough on the abutment, it could become loose and move around when you chew. It may also leave space between the crown and the gums where plaque bacteria can accumulate and cause gum disease.
How Can I Make Sure My Crown is Placed Correctly?
An experienced dentist will have the skill and knowledge to place the crown on your dental implant with the right amount of pressure. This is not something you should have to worry about as a patient. Choose a qualified dentist to perform your dental implant placement procedure and you’ll have a successful implant that will last a lifetime.
Trust Your Dental Implant to Dr. R. Renan Williams DDS
Dr. R. Renan Williams DDS is a highly qualified dentist with decades of experience providing a wide variety of dental services, including dental implant placement. You can trust that Dr. Williams will place your dental implant accurately for the highest chance of success. We look forward to restoring your smile and dental health with a dental implant restoration.
Call 817-281-4801 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.