Dental Crowns in Albuquerque, NM
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns cap a weakened or broken tooth so it can handle biting and chewing again. A crown fits over the entire visible part of the tooth, restoring its original shape and strength. Your dentist reshapes the tooth, takes a precise impression, and places a custom crown that blends with the teeth around it. Crowns also protect teeth after Root Canals, when the remaining structure needs reinforcement.
Today's crowns are made from porcelain, zirconia, or pressed ceramic, and they match your natural tooth color closely enough that most people can't tell the difference. Older metal crowns were strong but obvious. Modern materials give you that same durability without the metallic flash when you talk or laugh. At Parkway Dental in Albuquerque, NM, your dentist selects the material based on the tooth's location and the forces it needs to handle.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns do more than protect a damaged tooth. They bring back the strength and shape you need to eat, talk, and smile without thinking twice.
Now Bite Down Without Hesitating
A crown covers the entire visible surface of a weakened tooth, restoring it to full chewing strength. Steak, apples, crusty bread. You stop picking the soft option on the menu. The crown also protects whatever remains of the natural tooth from cracking further under daily biting forces.
Matches Your Other Teeth Exactly
Your dentist shade-matches porcelain to the teeth on either side, so the crown blends right in. Most people, including you, won't be able to spot which tooth was treated. The porcelain mimics the translucency of natural enamel, so the crown catches light the same way your surrounding teeth do.
One Fix That Prevents Bigger Problems
A cracked or heavily filled tooth keeps breaking down over time. Placing a crown early stops that cycle and can help you avoid root canals or tooth extractions later on. Early intervention almost always means simpler treatment and lower overall cost compared to waiting until the damage becomes more severe.
When Your Dentist Recommends a Crown
If you've been told a tooth is cracked, heavily filled, or weakened after Root Canals, dental crowns are likely the next step. A crown caps the entire visible portion of the tooth, giving it back the strength it lost. This is one of the most common restorations in dentistry, and it works for adults and older teens alike. Teeth that have large old fillings, visible fracture lines, or chips from an injury are all strong candidates.
Crowns also play a key role when your dentist places Dental Implants, since the crown is the part you actually chew with. Patients in Albuquerque, NM who grind their teeth at night sometimes need dental crowns to rebuild worn-down molars before damage spreads further. The restoration is predictable, durable, and matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth so it blends right in.
Advanced Dental Crowns Technology
Digital scanners have replaced the putty-filled trays that used to make impressions uncomfortable. A small handheld wand captures thousands of data points across your tooth in about two minutes, building a 3D model accurate to roughly 30 microns. That model goes straight to the milling software or dental lab with zero distortion from a physical mold.
Zirconia, one of the most popular crown materials right now, is about five times stronger than traditional porcelain. It resists chipping under heavy bite force, which makes it a solid choice for back teeth that do the hardest work. Parkway Dental also offers CEREC® Same-Day Crowns, where the crown is designed and milled in a single visit. The result is a precise fit with less time spent in a temporary crown waiting for a lab to ship the final one back.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your dentist starts by numbing the tooth and surrounding gum tissue, so you feel pressure at most during the process. Once you are comfortable, the tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown. Digital or putty impressions capture the exact dimensions, and a temporary crown goes on to protect the tooth while your permanent one is made. The whole visit usually runs about an hour.
Most people notice mild sensitivity for a day or two after the numbness wears off. Stick to softer foods for the first 24 hours and avoid anything sticky that could pull the temporary loose. When your permanent dental crowns are ready, typically in two to three weeks, you will come back for a short fitting appointment. After that, you can chew and brush normally right away.
Before Your Appointment
- Eat a full meal before you arrive, since the numbing around your crown prep tooth can last two to three hours afterward.
- Mention any sensitivity or pain in the tooth being crowned so your dentist can check for issues before shaping it.
- Skip chewing gum the morning of your visit to keep the tooth surface clean for a more accurate crown impression.
After Your Appointment
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth for the first 24 hours so the cement under your new crown can fully set.
- Skip sticky foods like caramel and taffy for at least a week, since they can pull a freshly placed crown loose before it bonds completely.
- Brush around the crown gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush, and slide floss out sideways at the gumline rather than snapping it up through the contact.
Why Our Patients {{p}}Love Us{{/p}}
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental crowns typically last?
Most dental crowns last 10 to 15 years, and many hold up even longer with good oral hygiene. Porcelain and zirconia tend to outlast other materials, especially on back teeth that handle heavy chewing forces.
Can I eat normally with dental crowns?
Once the permanent crown is bonded in place, you can eat just about anything. Hard, crunchy foods like apples and nuts are fine. Just avoid habits like chewing ice or tearing open packages with your teeth.
Are dental crowns a better option than Dental Bonding?
Dental Bonding works well for small chips and minor cosmetic fixes, but it wears down faster. Dental crowns cover the entire tooth, so they're the stronger choice when a tooth is cracked, weakened, or has a large filling.
Do dental crowns stain over time like natural teeth?
Porcelain and zirconia crowns resist staining much better than natural enamel. They won't yellow from coffee or tea. Your dentist color-matches the crown at placement, and that shade stays stable for years.
Will a crowned tooth still need care at future dental visits?
Yes. The crown protects the visible part of the tooth, but the gumline and root underneath still need regular attention. Your dentist checks crown fit and the surrounding tissue during routine Exams & X-rays.
Let's Get You On The Schedule.
Request your appointment using the form below, or give our office a call to set up your visit.
Book Your Appointment Today
We welcome new patients and families to our Albuquerque practice. Call us or schedule online today.
Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (By Appointment Only)
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Thank you for booking your appointment!
We’ve received your request and will contact you soon to confirm the details. We look forward to seeing you at Parkway Dental!