Carmel, IN — Implant Restorations
The implant post is in. Now it needs a crown, bridge, or denture that looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth. We fabricate custom restorations that complete your implant — and your smile.
What Is Implant Restoration?
A dental implant has two components. The implant post is the titanium fixture surgically placed in the jawbone — it acts as the tooth root. The restoration is the visible, functional part placed on top of the post — the crown, bridge, or denture that looks and works like a natural tooth.
Implant restoration is the process of fabricating and attaching that custom restoration to your implant post. It happens after the post has fully integrated with the jawbone (osseointegration), which takes 3 to 6 months. The restoration itself is typically completed in 2 to 3 appointments.
At Carmel Family Dental, we restore implants placed by our own doctors and implants placed by other providers. If your implant post is ready, we can complete your smile.
Implant Restoration — At a Glance
Types of Implant Restorations
The type of restoration depends on how many teeth are being replaced and the number of implant posts supporting them. We fabricate all three types in-house with our laboratory partners.
A single custom crown placed on one implant post to replace one missing tooth. The most common implant restoration. Fabricated from zirconia or porcelain to match surrounding teeth exactly.
A fixed bridge supported by two or more implant posts, replacing 3 or more consecutive missing teeth. No grinding of healthy adjacent teeth required — unlike a traditional bridge.
A full or partial denture attached to implant posts for stability and retention. Available as snap-on overdentures or fixed All-on-4 / All-on-6 arches. No slipping, no adhesives.
Are You Ready for Restoration?
Implant restoration is the final step in the implant process. You are ready for restoration when your implant post has fully integrated with the jawbone — typically 3 to 6 months after placement.
Your implant post has been in place for 3 to 6 months and has fully fused with the jawbone. You are ready for the final restoration appointment.
Your existing implant crown has worn, chipped, or become discolored over time and needs to be replaced with a new custom restoration.
Your implant post was placed by an oral surgeon, periodontist, or another dentist, and you need a restorative dentist to complete the crown or bridge.
Your implant crown has come loose, the abutment has failed, or the restoration needs to be re-cemented or replaced.
You have an older metal or PFM implant crown and want to upgrade to a modern, more aesthetic zirconia or full-porcelain restoration.
You have been living with a temporary restoration or a gap in your smile and are ready to place the final, permanent restoration.
Your First Appointment
The consultation is quick and straightforward. We examine your implant, take X-rays to confirm integration, and discuss your restoration options. You leave with a clear plan and a timeline.
We assess the implant post, surrounding bone, and gum tissue to confirm readiness for restoration
Digital X-rays confirm full osseointegration and verify implant position and angulation
We identify the implant brand and system to order the correct abutment components
We discuss material options — zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-zirconia — and select the best fit for your tooth position and goals
Precise digital impressions taken to fabricate your custom restoration in our laboratory partners
We verify your PPO benefits and discuss CareCredit options before you leave
The Process
From your first appointment to your final crown, the restoration process is straightforward and typically completed in 2 to 3 visits over 3 to 4 weeks.
Implant assessment, X-rays, implant system identification, material selection
Precise digital impressions of the implant site and surrounding teeth sent to the dental laboratory
Custom restoration fabricated in 2–3 weeks. Temporary restoration placed if needed
Custom abutment attached to the implant post to connect the crown
Final restoration placed, bite checked, and minor adjustments made for perfect fit and comfort
The restoration process is one of the most straightforward parts of the entire implant journey. No surgery. No extended recovery. Just a few appointments to fabricate and place a restoration that will last 15 to 25 years.
We restore implants placed by our own doctors and implants placed by any other provider. If you have an implant post that needs a crown, we can complete it — regardless of where it was placed.
Material Comparison
The material you choose affects the aesthetics, strength, and longevity of your restoration. We guide you through the options at your consultation.
| Feature | Full Zirconia | Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconia | Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | ✓ Excellent — ideal for back teeth | ✓ Very good | Good — metal core |
| Aesthetics | Good — slightly opaque | ✓ Excellent — most natural look | Acceptable — dark metal margin visible |
| Biocompatibility | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent | Good — metal allergy risk |
| Best For | ✓ Molars, heavy bite force | ✓ Front teeth, visible areas | Older standard — less common now |
| Longevity | ✓ 15–25+ years | ✓ 15–25 years | 10–15 years |
| Our Recommendation | ✓ Posterior teeth | ✓ Anterior teeth | Not typically recommended |
Why Carmel Family Dental
Dr. Stuart and Dr. Schraeder have restored over 800 implants. We have the experience to handle straightforward restorations and complex cases with equal precision.
We restore implants from all major manufacturers — Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Zimmer Biomet, BioHorizons, Dentsply, and more. Placed anywhere. Restored here.
We use high-quality zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-zirconia restorations fabricated by trusted dental laboratories for natural aesthetics and lasting durability.
Precise digital impressions eliminate the discomfort of traditional putty impressions and provide more accurate restorations with better fit from the first placement.
CareCredit financing available. We verify your PPO insurance benefits and provide transparent, itemised estimates before treatment begins. No hidden fees.
Hundreds of five-star reviews from patients across Carmel, Indianapolis, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, and Noblesville.
Patient Reviews
“I had my implant placed by an oral surgeon and came to Carmel Family Dental for the crown. The process was seamless. Dr. Schraeder matched the crown perfectly to my other teeth — I honestly cannot tell which one is the implant. Incredible work.”
“After waiting months for my implant to integrate, the restoration appointment was so much easier than I expected. Two visits, no pain, and the crown fits perfectly. Dr. Stuart was meticulous about the bite — everything feels completely natural.”
“My old implant crown chipped and needed replacing. They identified my implant system, ordered the right components, and had a new zirconia crown placed in about three weeks. The new crown looks far better than the old one. Highly recommend.”
The best implant restoration is one no one notices. It matches your surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size so naturally that even you forget which tooth is the implant. That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every restoration we place.
We serve patients from Carmel, Indianapolis, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and surrounding communities. Our practice is at 3021 E 98th Street, Suite 240, Indianapolis, IN 46280.
Your Restoration Team
Dr. Stuart specializes in prosthetic and cosmetic dentistry with over 20 years of experience. His expertise in occlusion, aesthetics, and material selection ensures every implant restoration achieves a natural, long-lasting result.
Dr. Schraeder places and restores implants, giving him a complete understanding of both phases of the implant process. His precision in placement translates directly to better-fitting, longer-lasting restorations.
FAQ
Implant restoration is the process of attaching a custom-fabricated crown, bridge, or denture to an existing dental implant post. The implant post is the titanium fixture that was surgically placed in the jawbone. The restoration is the visible, functional part — the part that looks and works like a natural tooth. Restoration is typically performed after the implant post has fully integrated with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration that takes 3 to 6 months.
The restoration appointment itself typically takes 1 to 2 hours. Before that appointment, we take digital impressions and fabricate your custom restoration in a dental laboratory, which takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. If you are having your implant placed and restored at our practice, the full process from placement to final restoration takes 3 to 6 months to allow for osseointegration.
Yes. We regularly restore implants placed by other dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists. We will need to identify the implant system used so we can order the correct abutment and components. In most cases, we can determine this from your records or a simple X-ray. If you have had an implant placed elsewhere and need a restoration, we are happy to complete the process for you.
We use high-quality zirconia and porcelain-fused-to-zirconia restorations for most implant crowns. Zirconia is exceptionally strong, highly aesthetic, and biocompatible. For posterior teeth that bear heavier bite forces, full-contour zirconia is often the best choice. For front teeth where aesthetics are the priority, layered porcelain over zirconia provides the most natural appearance. We select the material based on the location of the tooth and your specific needs.
Implant restorations are designed to last 15 to 25 years or longer with proper care. The implant post itself can last a lifetime. The crown or restoration may eventually need replacement due to normal wear, but this is far less common than with natural teeth. Good oral hygiene, regular professional cleanings, and avoiding habits like grinding significantly extend the lifespan of your restoration.
The restoration appointment is not surgical and does not require anesthesia in most cases. Attaching the abutment and crown is a straightforward process. If any minor gum tissue adjustment is needed, local anesthesia is used. Most patients find the restoration appointment to be one of the most comfortable steps in the entire implant process.
Care for your implant restoration exactly as you would a natural tooth. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily (including around the implant), and attend regular professional cleanings every 6 months. Avoid using your teeth as tools, and if you grind your teeth at night, ask us about a night guard to protect your restoration.
Many PPO dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for implant restorations — particularly the crown component. Coverage varies significantly by plan. We verify your benefits before treatment begins and provide a transparent, itemised estimate. CareCredit financing is available for any out-of-pocket balance.
Financing & Insurance
We work with most major PPO dental insurance plans and offer flexible financing options to make your restoration as accessible as possible.
Did you know? Many PPO plans cover the implant crown as a prosthetic tooth replacement, even if they do not cover the implant post placement itself. We verify your specific benefits before treatment so there are no surprises.
Related Services
Carmel Family Dental | 3021 E 98th Street, Suite 240, Indianapolis, IN 46280
Serving Carmel, Indianapolis, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, and Noblesville
