Damaged teeth are embarrassing, but modern dentistry has state of the art technology to help you deal with this issue. Dr. Andrew 
Schmid offers his patients dental crowns at his Manchester, VT, office to mask unsightly teeth.
Here are FAQs about dental crowns:
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is made out of porcelain or ceramic. Unlike veneers, however, crowns don't just cover the front of your teeth. They're caps that fit over the unattractive, decayed or damaged tooth. Crowns can even be used to replace a missing tooth when your dentist installs a dental bridge over your gums.
What does the installation procedure include?
There are three steps to getting your unsightly tooth capped:
- Step 1: Your dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth and begin drilling to file down the tooth. This is done to reshape the tooth so it fits under the crown. If there isn't very much natural tooth to begin with, your Manchester dentist will use a filling material to build up whatever exists of the natural tooth.
- Step 2: A crown is designed at a laboratory using impressions taken of your teeth. The impressions are taken digitally or with the use of a putty-like material and are used as a guide so that laboratory technicians can mold a crown that'll fit perfectly over your tooth.
- Step 3: The permanent crown is cemented over the tooth using a specific type of cement or resin.
What are the advantages of crowns?
Besides making your smile more aesthetically pleasing, crowns have other advantages:
- They're used to cover restorative procedures such as root canals and dental implants.
- They give your teeth reinforcement, therefore improving your bite and capability to chew.
- Crowns also support fillings that have been dislocated.
- Several crowns can be used if you have more than one tooth that needs to be covered.
How can I take care of my teeth?
Improve your dental care by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once before bed. In addition to maintaining a healthy oral regimen, make sure to visit your dentists twice a year for your bi-annual examination.
Need a consultation?
If you have any questions or concerns, call Dr. Schmid at his Manchester, VT, office today!