Cement and screw-retained, custom-abutment-supported, anterior and posterior. Built for the case, finished with the shade work the patient deserves.
An implant crown is the visible tooth restoration that sits on top of a dental implant. The implant itself is a titanium post that integrates with the jawbone. The crown is the part that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
The crown can attach to the implant in two ways: cemented over an abutment, or screw-retained directly through the crown itself. Both have their place. The decision depends on the case.
Both fabricate cleanly at IDA. The case usually picks one or the other, screw access placement, retrievability needs, and the patient's esthetic tolerance settle it.
Cement-bonded to a custom or stock abutment. Simpler delivery flow. The trade-off is cement excess at the margin, which we'd rather minimize than discover at try-in.
Crown attaches via screw through the abutment. Fully retrievable, no cement, but screw-access placement has to be planned esthetically. Custom abutment usually paired.
Pick the scenario closest to your case. We'll show the recommendation and the reasoning. Anything outside these reads as a planning call, not a guess.
Strength wins. No reason to risk porcelain chipping under heavy occlusion when monolithic delivers comparable esthetics for a posterior position.
Esthetics wins. If thin prep is possible, Emax usually edges out. Otherwise layered zirconia gets there with custom characterization.
Span and connector dimensions covered in zirconia bridges. We’ll plan the case if span limits are borderline.
Stain-and-glaze characterization on monolithic gets most anterior cases into the acceptable-match range without the layered overhead.
Anterior implant crowns are where lab work matters most. The shade has to match the adjacent natural teeth. The emergence has to match the patient’s tissue. The screw access (if screw-retained) has to be invisible. The margin has to disappear.
This is where custom abutments and custom shade work earn their cost. We do both as a default on anterior implant cases, and we work the case with the dentist on the planning call.
The healing window between implant placement and crown delivery depends on the implant location, the patient’s bone quality, and the surgeon’s loading protocol. Standard healing is typically 3 to 6 months for full integration. Immediate-load and early-load protocols can compress that timeline in select cases.
The lab’s role starts when the surgeon clears the case for restoration. From there, custom abutment and crown fabrication run in our standard implant TAT.
Reference values · confirm against current CDT. Insurance language varies by carrier.
Standard code for implant-supported zirconia or Emax crowns.
For PFM implant crowns.
Cement-retained crown over a custom abutment.
See custom abutments page for detail.
Cement-retained implant crowns. Typically does not apply to screw-retained.
We design custom abutments and implant restorations for the major systems used in independent practice. Don't see your system below? Call us, we've likely worked it before.
All major Nobel platforms accepted, including Active, Replace, Conical Connection, and NobelParallel.
BLT, BLX, Tissue Level, and SLActive platforms. Original abutment libraries used at the bench.
EV and OsseoSpeed lines, including the full EV family. Dentsply Sirona libraries on file.
TSV, Trabecular Metal, Eztetic, and 3i platforms. Combined Zimmer and Biomet legacy lines supported.
Tapered Internal, Tapered Pro, and Laser-Lok lines. Original abutment connections preserved.
Don't see your system? Ask us, we've likely worked it before.
"IDA has become my go to dental lab for all of my implant crowns and bridges as well as traditional bridge cases. Their restorations consistently demonstrate an outstanding fit, often seating with minimal to no adjustments. The esthetics also meet the highest demands. They are easy to work with and always helpful when questions arise. I confidently recommend them to colleagues seeking reliable, highly esthetic results."
Dr. Michael O'Brien
"We've had nothing but positive experiences with this lab. Their team is always willing to help, whether we have questions about a case, need assistance with a remake, or just want a second opinion on treatment planning."
Dr. Lauran Spencer, DDS
"IDA Tulsa's work on fixed restorations, implant and tooth borne, is very high quality and consistent. Everyone I've worked with from IDA has been very available, open to communication, and helpful in delivering quality restorations for patients. Chris has been a great partner to work with in the dental business."
Dr. Heath Coleman Secure Dentures and Implants
Anterior emergence, divergent angulation, screw-access correction. Titanium, zirconia, and hybrid.
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Singles, multi-unit, full-arch. Retrievability without esthetic compromise.
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For the cases where the difference between great and remake lives in the details. Plan it with a specialist before the case hits the bench.
Learn moreSchedule a 15-minute case consultation with an IDA technician. We'll talk through your scan, your patient, and what you need from us.
The questions that come up most often before we fabricate. Anything outside these is a planning call.
Contact UsD6065 for an implant-supported porcelain/ceramic crown. D6066 for an implant-supported PFM.
For most posterior cases, screw-retained. For anterior cases, depends on whether the screw access can be hidden. We’d rather discuss it on the case planning call than guess at it.
D2920 typically does not apply to screw-retained cases. For cement-retained, recement is usually billed under D2920.
Yes. We do custom shade matching on every anterior case. The shade match is a function of the photo and the layering, not just the tab.
Usually a screw issue, not a crown issue. The screw can loosen over time, particularly under parafunctional load. Screw retightening is typically a quick chairside fix.