A cracked, root-canal-treated, or badly worn tooth often needs more than a filling — that's where a crown comes in. Smile Center Dentistry matches shade and shape to your surrounding teeth before anything is fabricated.
Material choice affects durability and cost differently depending on which tooth is involved, and we explain that honestly. We'd rather spend extra chairside time on the bite check than have you come back with pain.
Digital impressions reduce fitting errors compared to traditional putty molds. Digital files transmit to the lab instantly, which can shorten turnaround time.
We recommend material based on which tooth is involved and how much chewing force it takes, not just price. We'll tell you plainly if a cheaper material is genuinely fine for your case, not just upsell the priciest option.
A crown that's slightly high can cause pain within days — we catch that before you leave the chair. Bite paper checks happen before you're released, not left for you to notice at home.
If a crown or bridge doesn't fit or feel right, we adjust or remake it at no extra charge within the guarantee period. We'd rather remake a restoration than have you live with one that's not right.
Crowns and bridges serve different purposes depending on what's damaged or missing — here's what we offer.
We shade-match zirconia carefully since it can appear less translucent than natural enamel if not planned well. Ideal when strength is the top priority.
A glass-ceramic material known for a more translucent, natural appearance, often preferred for front teeth. We explain when this material fits better than zirconia for your case.
PFM can show a thin metal line at the gumline over time, which we explain honestly before you choose it. A solid option for back teeth where appearance is less of a priority.
A bridge anchors a replacement tooth to the crowned teeth on either side of a gap. Bridges avoid surgery but do require altering the supporting teeth.
While your permanent crown is fabricated, a temporary protects the prepared tooth from sensitivity and damage. Same-day crown milling may be available depending on your case and material choice.
We evaluate whether repair or full replacement makes more sense for your specific restoration. We'll tell you honestly which option actually solves the problem.
Call +1-866-227-2801 to schedule your exam and discuss which tooth needs restoration.
The tooth is prepared and scanned digitally, sent directly to the lab for fabrication.
We discuss zirconia, e.max, or PFM based on which tooth and how much force it needs to handle.
We adjust until it feels natural before you leave, not just acceptable.
"They explained why zirconia made more sense for my molar than e.max. Appreciated the honest reasoning."
"Bridge instead of an implant since my adjacent teeth already needed crowns anyway. Made financial sense and they explained why."
"E.max crown on my front tooth blends in so well you genuinely cannot tell which one it is."
"They walked through all three material options with actual pros and cons instead of just picking one for me."
"Old crown from another dentist had decay creeping underneath. They replaced it instead of just patching over the problem."
Typically two visits over one to two weeks — prep and impression first, then final fitting once the lab completes your restoration. Bridges involving multiple teeth sometimes take slightly longer to fabricate.
It depends on which tooth and how much chewing force it handles — we recommend based on your specific case, not a default choice. We're glad to walk through samples so you can see the differences yourself.
A bridge avoids surgery but involves the neighboring teeth; an implant doesn't touch them but requires a longer process. We'll tell you if your adjacent teeth already need crowns anyway, which can tip the decision toward a bridge.
Front teeth get materials chosen specifically for translucency and natural appearance. Back teeth prioritize strength since they're less visible when you smile.
We'd rather you return for a quick adjustment than live with something that doesn't feel right. Most bite adjustments take just a few minutes chairside.
We break down the cost clearly by material so you can compare options. Financing options are available for larger restoration cases.
Our team serves Albuquerque and the surrounding zip codes with the same material-matched approach at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Albuquerque are welcome to book a restoration consult.
Licensed, precise, and local to Albuquerque — call and ask about your options.
Call +1-866-227-2801