When you think about dental implants, you probably focus on the implant itself. That tiny titanium post that goes into your jawbone. It’s the foundation, right? It’s what makes everything work.
Many patients don’t realize that the implant is just the beginning. The part you actually see, feel, and use every single day is the crown on top. That crown matters just as much as the implant beneath it.
At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre in Plano, TX, we’ve built our entire approach around this truth. Dr. Sara Chen and Dr. Mark Sowell craft custom restorations that look natural, function perfectly, and last for decades. They do it all in one location with an in-house ceramic lab that most dental practices can only dream of.
Let’s talk about why your implant crown matters so much, and why our approach is different.
The Implant Is the Foundation. The Crown Is the House.
Think of your dental implant like the foundation of a house. It’s buried underground, providing stability and support. You don’t see it or interact with it, but the house wouldn’t stand without it.
Now think of your implant crown like the house itself. It’s what you see in the mirror. It’s what you use when you eat, speak, and smile, and what other people notice. The crown is what determines whether your new tooth looks natural or stands out like a sore thumb.
A poorly made crown can ruin an otherwise perfect implant. It can:
- Look fake or mismatched with your other teeth
- Feel uncomfortable or bulky in your mouth
- Wear down unevenly and cause bite problems
- Trap food and bacteria, leading to gum disease
- Chip, crack, or break, requiring replacement
A well-made crown, on the other hand, can make your implant feel like it’s always been part of your smile. It blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. It functions exactly like a real tooth. And with proper care, it can last for decades.
The difference between these two outcomes isn’t the implant. It’s the crown. The crown depends on the skill, training, and artistry of the dentist who makes it.
Why Most Implant Crowns Fall Short
Most implant crowns come from outside labs, often overseas, where mass production takes priority. The dentist sends an impression, waits a few weeks, and gets back a crown that may or may not fit perfectly.
This approach has several problems:
- No Direct Communication: When your dentist in Plano works with an outside lab, they can’t discuss your case in person. They can’t explain the subtle nuances of your smile or make on-the-spot adjustments. Everything is done through paperwork and shipping.
- Compromised Materials: To cut costs, many labs use cheaper materials. The porcelain might not match your natural teeth. The fit might be slightly off, or the color might be too white or too gray. These small differences add up to a crown that looks artificial.
- Longer Wait Times: Traditional implant crowns can take weeks to fabricate. You might get a temporary crown in the meantime, but it’s not the same. You’re waiting for your final restoration while your smile sits in limbo.
- No Patient Input: With an outside lab, you don’t get to see your crown before it’s permanently placed. You can’t approve the shape, color, or fit. You just hope for the best.
At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, we do things differently. Very differently.
The Aesthetic Dentistry Centre Difference: Our In-House Ceramic Lab
We are one of the few dental practices in Texas with an in-building, in-office ceramic laboratory. This isn’t a small detail. It changes everything about your implant experience.
Our lab is owned and operated by Master Ceramist James Chung. James is a highly skilled artist who works exclusively with Dr. Chen and Dr. Sowell. He doesn’t just make crowns. He crafts them to match your unique smile.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Direct Collaboration: Dr. Chen, Dr. Sowell, and James work together from the very beginning of your case. They review your imaging, discuss your goals, and plan every detail of your restoration. There’s no back-and-forth with an outside lab or miscommunication. Just a team of experts working together to create the best possible result.
- Real-Time Adjustments: Because James is right down the hall, we can make adjustments in real time. If the color needs to be slightly warmer or the shape needs to be slightly different, he can adjust it. You don’t have to wait for a new crown to be shipped. You get exactly what you want, when you want it.
- Same-Day Restorations: In many cases, we can create your implant crown in a single day. You come in for your appointment, and you leave with your final restoration. No temporary crown and waiting days.
- Patient Approval Before Placement: One of the most unique aspects of our lab is that James is present at your final seating appointment. Before we permanently bond your crown, you get to see it, feel it, and approve it. If you want to change anything, James can adjust it on the spot. You never have to settle for a crown you don’t love.
The Experts Behind Your Smile
Our in-house lab is just one part of what makes Aesthetic Dentistry Centre special. The other part is our team.
Dr. Sara Chen, D.M.D., M.S.
Dr. Chen is a prosthodontist. That means she completed three additional years of training after dental school, focusing entirely on restoring and replacing teeth. She’s one of only a small percentage of dentists who hold this credential.
Dr. Chen earned her dental degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and completed her prosthodontics residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She’s trained to handle the most complex implant cases, from single teeth to full-mouth reconstructions.
When Dr. Chen designs your implant crown, she thinks about more than how it looks. She considers how it functions within your bite, how it supports your gum tissue, and how it will hold up over time.
Dr. Mark Sowell, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., A.A.C.D.
Dr. Sowell is one of the most credentialed cosmetic dentists in the country. He’s a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) and an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).
Here’s the incredible part. Dr. Sowell is one of only 40 dentists worldwide to hold both of these credentials. He’s also a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). He completes over 100 hours of postdoctoral training each year and serves as a visiting faculty member at Spear Education, where he teaches other dentists advanced reconstruction and cosmetic techniques.
When Dr. Sowell evaluates your smile, he brings decades of experience and an artist’s eye for detail. He’ll make sure your implant crown complements your facial features, matches your natural teeth, and enhances your overall appearance.
Together, They’re Unstoppable
Having both a prosthodontist and a MAGD cosmetic dentist under one roof is rare. Most practices have one or the other. At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, you get both. Dr. Chen handles the complex restorative aspects of your implant. Dr. Sowell ensures a flawless aesthetic result, and James Chung crafts a crown that exceeds your expectations.
What Makes a Great Implant Crown?
Not all implant crowns are created equal. A great crown has several key characteristics:
- Natural Appearance: Your crown should match the color, shape, and translucency of your natural teeth. It should reflect light the same way. It should blend in so seamlessly that no one can tell which tooth is the implant.
- Proper Fit: Your crown should fit snugly on the abutment with no gaps. Gaps can trap food and bacteria, leading to gum disease and implant failure. A properly fitted crown protects your implant and keeps your mouth healthy.
- Comfortable Function: Your crown should feel like a natural part of your mouth. You should be able to bite, chew, and speak without any discomfort. It should not interfere with your bite or cause any soreness.
- Durability: Your crown should be made from high-quality materials that can withstand the forces of daily chewing. It should not chip, crack, or wear down prematurely. With proper care, it should last for many years.
- Gum Tissue Support: Your crown should support your gum tissue and help it heal in the right shape. This is especially important in the front of your mouth, where the gum line is visible. A well-designed crown creates a natural-looking emergence profile that mimics a real tooth.
At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, we check every box. We craft our crowns with precision and care. They look natural, fit perfectly, and function beautifully. With our in-house lab, we can ensure every detail is exactly right.
Learn more about our implant dentistry:
- All-On-Four Dental Implants
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Bone Grafting for Implants
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Dental Implant FAQs
- Dental Implants vs Dentures
- Implant Overdentures
- Multiple Implants
- Teeth-In-a-Day
Serving Plano and Beyond
Aesthetic Dentistry Centre is conveniently located at 1200 Village Creek Drive in Plano, TX. We serve patients from throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including:
- Plano
- Frisco
- Dallas
- Southlake
- Collin County
- And beyond
We also welcome patients from outside the Dallas area. Because of our advanced training and expertise, many patients travel from other states and even other countries to receive care at our practice. We offer travel coordination and personalized concierge service to make your visit as comfortable and convenient as possible.
Schedule Your Implant Consultation
Are you ready to replace your missing teeth with dental implants in Plano, TX? Do you want a crown that looks and feels like a natural part of your smile?
At Aesthetic Dentistry Centre, we’re ready to help. Dr. Chen, Dr. Sowell, and our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. We’ll answer all your questions, address your concerns, and guide you through every step of the process.
Call (972) 382-6855 to schedule your consultation or request an appointment online. We’ll help you take the first step toward a smile you’ll love for a lifetime.
Your implant is important. But your crown? That’s what everyone sees. Choose a practice that treats it that way.