Expertly Crafted Implant Restorations for Lasting Comfort and a Seamless Smile
Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth permanently, but it’s the restoration — the visible tooth and its supporting connector — that completes your smile. At Whiteman Dental Associates in Cambridge, we create custom implant restorations that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
Led by Dr. Daniel Whiteman, our team focuses on achieving balance between strength, comfort, and aesthetics. Every restoration is designed with precision to ensure a perfect fit and a natural appearance. Using high-quality materials and careful planning, we restore both the look and functionality of your teeth with results that last.
From your first consultation to the final placement, we take time to explain each step, helping you feel confident and informed throughout your care.
What Is an Implant Restoration?
An implant restoration completes the final stage of a dental implant treatment — the part that you see and use daily. It’s made up of two main components: the abutment and the crown.
The Abutment
The abutment is a small, connector-shaped piece that attaches to the top of your implant post. It provides support and stability for your crown while guiding your gum tissue into a natural shape around the new tooth.
The Crown
The crown is the visible portion of your restoration — the custom-designed replacement tooth that blends seamlessly with your natural smile. It’s crafted to match your existing teeth in shade, contour, and size, restoring both appearance and function.
Once your implant post has fully healed and integrated with the bone, the abutment and crown complete the process, allowing you to chew, speak, and smile confidently once again.
The Implant Restoration Process at Whiteman Dental Associates
Our restoration process is designed to ensure precision, comfort, and long-lasting results.
Step 1: Examination and Planning
We begin with a detailed evaluation of your implant and surrounding gum tissue to ensure that healing is complete and the implant post is ready for restoration. We’ll discuss your goals, review materials, and plan the details of your treatment.
Step 2: Impressions or Digital Scanning
We capture detailed digital scans or impressions of your mouth. These allow us to design a restoration that fits precisely, aligns naturally with your bite, and enhances your smile’s symmetry.
Step 3: Selecting or Designing the Abutment
Depending on your case, Dr. Whiteman may recommend either a prefabricated abutment or a custom-designed one. Custom abutments are ideal for tailoring the angle and contour to your gumline, creating a smooth, natural emergence profile.
Step 4: Crafting the Crown
Your implant crown is then designed and fabricated using durable, aesthetic materials. We color-match and shape the crown to replicate your surrounding teeth, ensuring harmony in both tone and texture.
Step 5: Placement and Adjustment
Once your restoration is ready, we secure the abutment and attach the crown. Small bite adjustments are made to guarantee comfort and balance, allowing you to enjoy a restoration that feels natural from day one.
Each restoration is individually crafted for comfort, beauty, and lasting function.
Types of Implant Abutments and Crowns
Every patient’s needs are unique. We offer several types of abutments and crowns to ensure optimal outcomes.
Stock Abutments
These are prefabricated connectors available in standard shapes and sizes. Stock abutments can be a practical solution when the implant’s position and gum contours allow for a straightforward fit.
Custom Abutments
Custom abutments are made specifically for your mouth. They provide superior control over the gumline’s shape and the crown’s positioning, which is especially valuable for front teeth where aesthetics matter most.
Screw-Retained Crowns
Screw-retained crowns are secured to the implant or abutment with a small screw, allowing for easy removal if adjustments or maintenance are ever needed.
Cement-Retained Crowns
These crowns are attached to the abutment using dental cement, creating a smooth, screw-free appearance. They’re ideal for highly visible areas due to their seamless look.
Implant Crown Material Options
At Whiteman Dental Associates, we offer several materials, each chosen for strength, durability, and natural appearance.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM): Combines strength with aesthetic appeal; ideal for both front and back teeth.
- All-Ceramic: Offers exceptional translucency and lifelike detail, perfect for visible areas.
- Zirconia: Highly durable and resistant to fracture, making it ideal for molars and areas under high chewing pressure.
We’ll guide you in selecting the best material based on your bite, aesthetic goals, and overall oral health.
Benefits of a Quality Implant Restoration
An implant restoration does more than replace a missing tooth — it restores balance, function, and confidence. Benefits include:
- Natural-looking results that blend seamlessly with existing teeth.
- Long-lasting performance with proper care.
- Enhanced comfort and improved chewing function.
- Maintenance of jawbone structure by distributing bite forces evenly.
- Prevention of shifting in neighboring teeth.
- Renewed confidence in speaking and smiling.
Each restoration is built to provide both functional stability and aesthetic harmony, ensuring you can enjoy daily activities without compromise.
Caring for Your Implant Restoration
Proper care ensures your restoration lasts for many years while protecting the health of your gums and surrounding teeth.
- Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean around the crown and gumline.
- Floss Daily: Floss carefully or use an interdental brush to remove plaque around the implant.
- Avoid Excess Force: Avoid chewing on very hard objects such as ice, pens, or hard candies to protect your restoration.
- Schedule Regular Checkups: Routine visits allow us to monitor the health of your implant, gums, and bite alignment.
- Address Concerns Promptly: Contact us if you notice looseness, discomfort, or sensitivity near the implant.
With consistent care and professional monitoring, your restoration can last for decades.
Why Patients in Cambridge Choose Whiteman Dental Associates for Implant Restorations
At Whiteman Dental Associates, every restoration is crafted with care, precision, and a personalized approach. Dr. Whiteman brings decades of restorative expertise, ensuring that each patient receives a restoration that functions beautifully and complements their natural smile.
Our office offers a calm, attentive environment where your comfort comes first. You’ll see the same experienced team at every visit, ensuring continuity and trust throughout your treatment.
By combining technology with artistry, we create implant restorations that feel natural and last for years. Every detail—from gum contouring to color-matching—is refined to achieve a lifelike, confident result.
Book Your Implant Restoration Consultation in Cambridge, MA
If you’ve had a dental implant placed or need to replace an existing crown, Whiteman Dental Associates can complete your smile with a custom implant restoration. Our team will design your abutment and crown with precision, ensuring strength, stability, and beauty in every detail.
Schedule your consultation today to take the final step toward restoring your confidence and comfort.
Your Implant Restoration Questions Answered
How long does it take to receive my implant crown after the implant heals?
Once your implant is stable and fully integrated, creating and placing your crown typically takes a few weeks. The process involves planning, impressions, design, and final placement for the best fit and appearance.
Can I replace an older implant crown with a new one?
Yes. If your current crown is chipped, discolored, or no longer fits well, we can design and place a new crown without replacing the implant post itself.
What’s the difference between an implant crown and a dental bridge?
An implant crown replaces a single missing tooth and is supported by an implant post, while a bridge relies on surrounding teeth for support. Implants provide a more independent and longer-lasting solution.
Will my gums look natural after restoration?
Custom abutments help shape and support the gumline, giving your restoration a realistic emergence that mimics natural teeth.
Can multiple implants support a bridge or partial denture?
Yes. In many cases, several implants can be used to support larger restorations like bridges or partial dentures for greater stability.
Are implant crowns prone to staining?
Porcelain and zirconia crowns are highly resistant to staining. However, regular cleaning and avoiding excessive dark-colored foods or drinks help maintain their brightness.
How do I know which crown material is right for me?
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your bite strength, smile goals, and aesthetic preferences to recommend the ideal material—porcelain, zirconia, or ceramic.
Can implant restorations fail?
Failures are rare but can occur if infection, poor hygiene, or excess stress affect the implant site. Regular checkups and daily care greatly reduce this risk.
What should I do if my crown feels slightly uneven?
If your bite feels off or your crown feels high, contact our office. Small adjustments can quickly correct the alignment for comfort and stability.
How long can I expect my implant restoration to last?
With consistent oral care and professional maintenance, your crown and abutment can last 10 to 20 years or longer, depending on materials and bite habits.