Decayed, damaged, or weakened teeth often require strength and reinforcement for optimal oral health.

Dental crowns are custom-crafted restorations designed to fit over the entire tooth structure, protecting it for many years to come.

Dentist Timothy M. Kelly places dental crowns at our Albuquerque, NM, practice.

Request an Appointment

The Unbeatable Benefits of Crowns

Immediate Results
Have an urgent dental issue? We offer custom dental crowns to treat damaged or decayed teeth as quickly as possible. With dental crowns, you can enjoy instant relief and peace of mind knowing your tooth is protected.

Fully Customizable
We strive to make each dental restoration indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Our dentist uses high-quality porcelain that is strong, stain-resistant, and tooth-colored. Additionally, Dr. Kelly customizes every dental crown to match the shape, size, and shine of your surrounding teeth.

Reduced Risk of Future Problems
Whether you just had a root canal or are dealing with a fractured tooth, a dental crown dramatically reduces the risk of decay and other issues with that same tooth in the future.

Dental Crowns: A Durable and Reliable Fix

If you have a broken or otherwise compromised tooth, you’ll likely be exploring a dental crown as one of your treatment options. As Dr. Timothy M. Kelly describes, we can gently shape the existing tooth to make an ideal fit for your new restoration. The result will look natural, feel natural, and last you for decades to come.

When Are Dental Crowns Recommended?

There are several instances in which your dentist may recommend a crown. You may need this type of restoration if you have:

A Broken Tooth
A crown can completely cover weak or broken segments of a cracked or fractured tooth. This can protect the tooth from further damage.

A Large Cavity
While smaller cavities can be treated with dental fillings, more severe decay requires a larger restoration like a dental crown.

Severe Discoloration
Surface stains can be addressed with teeth whitening. However, deep dental discoloration may require a crown for best results.

Weak Teeth
Crowns can provide extra reinforcement for teeth that have large fillings or teeth that have been repaired with root canal therapy.

Missing Teeth
Those who want to replace missing teeth with dental implants will need to have their implants restored with dental crowns for full function.

A Closer Look at How Dental Crowns are Used in Restorative Dentistry

Let’s take a deeper dive into how your Albuquerque dentist can implement crowns to address a variety of dental health needs:

Tooth Protection & Enhancement

Crafted from strong dental porcelain, our permanent crowns can seamlessly fit over a damaged tooth to provide lasting protection against further harm. Your dentist will carefully remove small amounts of dental tissue from the tooth to accommodate the permanent crown. When the crown is ready, your dentist will secure it in place with dental cement. We are able to place permanent crowns for most patients within a few days of their visit. If your permanent crown requires additional time to produce, your dentist will provide a comfortable temporary crown to protect your natural tooth while the permanent restoration is developed.

Patients who want to improve the appearance of an otherwise healthy natural tooth or teeth may also choose permanent porcelain crowns to mask minor flaws and achieve a more even smile.

Support for Traditional Dental Bridges

A traditional dental bridge can give you the ability to chew, speak, and smile with comfort and confidence again. These restorations are supported by neighboring teeth that have been topped with dental crowns. As with individual crown placement, your dentist will shape the supporting teeth to ensure a precise fit and proper support for the bridge. The crowns—and the bridge they support—will look completely natural within your smile.

Complete Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants

Crowns can be combined with dental implants to replace a single lost tooth, from the root to chewing surface. An implant serves as a replacement for a natural tooth root. Over a period of three to six months, the implant fuses with the bone tissue in a process called osseointegration. Your custom crown will be secured to the implant once osseointegration is complete, giving you the function, stability, and appearance of a natural tooth.

Because implants require sufficient jawbone density to place, your dentist will assess the health of your jawbone before treatment to determine whether an implant-supported crown or another form of restorative dentistry is best for you.

How Does the Process Work?

Dental Crown Procedure

Here are the general steps you can expect during dental crown treatment at our Albuquerque practice:

Tooth Preparation

First, our dentist must remove damage and decay from the natural tooth. Next, he will gently reshape the tooth. This ensures that your new crown will fit properly and stay firmly in place.

Impressions

Next, digital impressions of your tooth are taken. These images are uploaded to our software to help create your fully custom crown and ensure a precise fit.

Crown Fabrication

Your crown will be fabricated. Once the crown is done being milled, we will reach back out to the patient to return for another visit.

Placement

Dr. Kelly will assess the fit and look of the crown before bonding it onto the tooth. He will then check your bite and make necessary adjustments before cementing the crown in place.

“Dr. Kelly really made my mouth feel healthier.”

When Daniel visited Dr. Kelly in Albuquerque, our dentist suggested replacing some old crowns with new restorations that blended more naturally with his smile. He says the work Dr. Kelly performed made his mouth feel healthier and that our team always made him feel comfortable and welcome. We’re grateful when patients like Daniel say they would recommend our practice to others.

Over 30 Years of Experience Restoring Smiles in the Albuquerque, NM, Area

As a seasoned practitioner of restorative dentistry, Dr. Kelly is able to effectively improve the appearance and function of smiles across Albuquerque. Whether you are looking to protect a damaged tooth with a permanent crown, restore your bite with a traditional dental bridge, or fill gaps in your smile with implant-supported porcelain crowns, Dr. Kelly can provide a solution that is durable and comfortable, with the same look and feel as a natural tooth or set of teeth.

If you are interested in how porcelain dental crowns from Dr. Kelly can transform your smile, contact our Albuquerque, NM, office online or call us at:

(505) 256-1770 Request an Appointment

Caring for Your Dental Crown

Dental crowns do not require a lot of additional care and maintenance. They typically last between five and 15 years on average. Our Albuquerque practice urges patients to follow these simple guidelines to keep their restorations looking and feeling as good as new.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Brush and floss your teeth daily. Be sure to choose nonabrasive products that do not contain baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other harsh ingredients, which could damage your crowns.

Protect Your Smile

Chronic grinding and clenching can cause tooth erosion and wear over time. If you suffer from bruxism, be sure to wear an oral appliance when you sleep to protect your teeth from damage.

Avoid Certain Foods

Tooth discoloration is often caused by dark-colored foods and beverages. Even though dental porcelain is resistant to staining, the natural teeth are not. Limit your intake of foods that can stain.

Regular Dental Visits

Dental examinations and cleanings are essential for long-term health. During these appointments, our Albuquerque dentist can assess your tooth and crown to ensure they are still in good condition.