If you have a damaged tooth that needs some additional support, your dentist will likely recommend that you have a dental crown placed. A dental crown is a customized cap that is placed over the chewing surface of your tooth to improve its appearance and protect it from further damage. Today, metal-free dental crowns are made to perfectly match the color of the surrounding teeth, but how is this done? Continue reading to learn how your dentist does their magic!
Choosing the Right Color
Crowns can be made in a wide range of shades. You may think that whiter is better when it comes to dental restorations, but if one is made much whiter than the surrounding teeth, it will have a strange and unnatural appearance. A dental crown should blend in naturally with the rest of your smile. Since discoloration of the teeth is a natural part of getting older, chances are that a super bright white crown wouldn’t look quite right. If you want to achieve a brighter smile, you should consider teeth whitening before the final shade selection of your crown. This way, your crown can be made to match the rest of your smile.
How Does Color Variation Play a Role?
Nobody’s teeth are perfect. You may discover that some of your teeth don’t match other ones. This situation can make the matching of dental crowns more difficult. However, it usually makes the most sense for your dentist to match the crown to the adjacent tooth. The front teeth tend to have a thinner layer of dentin, making them appear whiter, while canine teeth have a thick layer, giving them a slightly more yellow appearance. Ultimately, it is your dentist’s goal to make your smile appear as symmetrical as possible.
Color Matching Shade Guide
The most common tool that is used for matching the color of a crown to the teeth is a shade guide. This is either a metal or plastic card with fake porcelain teeth of many different shades in order. Your dentist will hold this by your teeth to find the most ideal shade for your crown.
Customized Shading
When a single tooth is being replaced with a dental crown, and in some other cases, custom shading can be done. The intrinsic details of the adjacent teeth are analyzed so the crown can be crafted to match the rest of your smile. This includes a combination of photos and an in-person consultation.
Your oral health is your dentist’s top priority, but the appearance of your smile matters too. By closely color-matching your crown to the surrounding teeth, your dentist can ensure that patients leave the dental office feeling confident to show off their smiles!
About the Author
Dr. Nancy Cabansag is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for nearly 20 years. She earned her dental doctorate from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment at her office in Arlington, visit her website or call (817) 508-9881.