Tooth a Royal Pain? Try a Truly Royal Restoration

Maybe it was the years of teeth grinding that did you in, or the errant baseball you tried (and failed) to catch at the last Isotopes game. Whatever it was that’s left your tooth worse for wear, it’s good to know that you have options at Snow Park Dental. Dr. Mark Miller, who offers several types of dental crowns in Albuquerque, NM, discusses your choices.

“I need a crown. What are my options?”

First, Dr. Miller will measure the extent of damage to the affected tooth. Crowns are generally recommended for patients whose teeth have been too badly damaged for a simple filling, but not so much that an extraction is necessary. Dental x-rays may be taken to show the full extent of damage to the tooth structure. Next, he will consider several factors to determine the best material for your crown. Available materials include:

• If the affected tooth is a molar—the large teeth at the back of your mouth—you are an excellent candidate for a crown made of gold or a mixture of various metals. Because your back teeth are used primarily for chewing food, they are subject to the greatest amount of wear and tear. Metal crowns are dent and chip-resistant, but they are not exactly conspicuous. As a result, metal is almost never used for teeth on the front and sides of your mouth.
• Crowns made entirely of ceramic are popular for their natural appearance; this makes them ideal for reinforcing front and side teeth that are visible when you smile or speak. We often place ceramic crowns for patients who have an allergy or sensitivity to metal.
• Porcelain-fused-to metal, or PFM, could be thought of as the “deluxe edition” of dental crowns. Their popularity stems from the fact that PFM combines the best qualities of both metal and ceramic. You get the benefit of metal’s durability along with the subtlety of natural-looking ceramic. An advantage of ceramic and PFM crowns is the ability to create them in practically every color to blend in with your own tooth enamel.

“What should I expect after receiving my new dental crown?”

If you are committed to caring for your teeth and restoration, you’ll reap the benefits for anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Although the presence of your new crown may feel more noticeable in the first few days, most patients find that their mouth feels no different over time. The recommended hygiene regimen remains the same before and after your dental work: Floss once daily, brush for two minutes, twice daily, and schedule your dental checkup every six months. It’s that easy. There are no major dietary restrictions, although Dr. Miller advises abstaining from eating very chewy, sticky, or hard foods.

Ready to restore your tooth? To learn more about dental crowns in Albuquerque, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Miller, contact us at (505) 299-2979. We offer preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to patients living in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Tijeras, and the surrounding cities.

Share this Article