Do you have a damaged tooth that needs additional support? It might be recommended that you get a dental crown. A crown is placed over the chewing surface of damaged teeth to improve its appearance, protecting it from additional damage. Dental crowns today can be designed to perfectly match the color of the surrounding teeth, but how is this possible? Read on to learn more about how this process works.
Picking the Ideal Color
Dental crowns can be made with a wide range of shades. At first, you might think that whiter is better when it comes to dental restorations, but if a crown is made to be whiter than the surrounding teeth, it will stand out, appearing unnatural. Dental crowns should blend in with the rest of your teeth. Since discoloration is a natural occurrence over time, a bright, white crown might not look right against your other teeth. If you want to achieve a whiter smile, you might want to consider teeth whitening before getting your new crown if your smile is otherwise in good health. This way, it can be matched to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
How Does Variation in Color Affect the Process?
No one’s teeth are perfect. You may find that some of your teeth are different shades than other ones. However, it makes the color-matching process a little bit more difficult. 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 look whiter, while the canine teeth have a thick layer of dentin, giving them a more yellow appearance. Ultimately, the goal is to make your smile look as symmetrical as possible.
Color-Matching Shade Guides
The most common tool that is used for color-matching crowns is a shade guide. This is either a metal or plastic card with fake porcelain teeth of many shades from dark to light. Your dentist will place them next to your teeth to find the most ideal shade for your new crown.
Customized Shading
If a single tooth is receiving a dental crown, and in some other situations, custom shading can be completed. 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 your photos and an in-person consultation.
The health of your smile is always the number one priority of your dentist, but appearance matters as well. By closely color-matching your crown to the surrounding teeth, your dentist can ensure that you leave the dental office feeling confident about your pearly whites!
About the Author
Dr. Reem Saywa earned her dental doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School. Since then, she has been committed to continuing education and has become a Certified Invisalign provider. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment to get a crown that perfectly matches your smile, visit her website or call (248) 855-4850.
