Dental Crowns vs. Implant Crowns: What’s the Difference?
October 14, 2025

When a tooth becomes damaged or weakened, this doesn’t mean that you need to say goodbye to them. Dental crowns can be used to build them up and protect them, so they are less likely to endure more harm in the future. However, this isn’t the only purpose of a dental crown. Implant crowns are also available to replace missing teeth and complete smiles! Continue reading to learn more about dental crowns and implant crowns.
Traditional Crowns vs. Implant Crowns
Traditionally, dental crowns are placed on weakened natural teeth using a special dental cement. They are used to strengthen and protect teeth or to mask cosmetic concerns. On the other hand, an implant crown is placed on the end of a titanium dental implant post. These posts are placed directly into the jawbone to act as the root of the missing tooth. The implant crown is then placed to act as the new chewing surface of the replacement tooth, giving the patient a fully functional, complete replacement tooth.
5 Signs That You Need a Dental Crown
Dental crowns can be placed for a variety of purposes. Here are the main reasons why one may be recommended for you.
- You have experienced advanced decay of a tooth
- Your tooth has become badly fractured or damaged
- You are undergoing root canal treatment
- You have a tooth that is significantly misshapen or stained, or you have another serious cosmetic concern that can’t be addressed with less invasive cosmetic options.
- You are replacing a tooth with a dental implant
What Type of Crown Do You Need?
The dental crown that is recommended for you will depend on your unique situation. If your tooth is broken, decayed, fractured, severely stained, misshapen, or otherwise weakened, yet salvageable, they will most likely recommend a traditional dental crown. However, if your tooth is not salvageable and needs to be extracted, or you have lost your tooth altogether, a dental implant with an implant crown is likely the best next course of action. During your appointment with your dentist, they will assess your situation and recommend the best option to restore your smile.
Whether you need a traditional dental crown or an implant crown, you can be certain that it will help you to maintain a complete, healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Jonathon Aguilar earned his dental doctorate from the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. Since then, he has been committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp! To learn more about dental crowns and dental implants, or to schedule a consultation at his office in Denton, visit his website or call (940) 566-5332.