Do you have a damaged tooth that is in need of additional support? It may 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 for a natural appearance, but how is this possible? Read on to learn more about 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 naturally with the rest of your teeth. Since discoloration is a natural occurrence over time, a bright white crown may not look right against your other teeth. If you want to achieve a whiter smile, you may want to consider teeth whitening before getting your new crown. This way, it can be matched to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
How Does Color Variation Affect the Process?
No one’s teeth are perfect. You might discover that some of your teeth are different shades than other ones, and it is natural. 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 different shades from dark to light. Your dentist will place them next to your teeth to find the most ideal shade from your new crown.
Customized Shading
If a single tooth is receiving a dental crown, and 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 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 patients leave the dental office feeling confident to show off their smiles!
About the Practice
At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Venn R. Peterson, Dr. Spenser Cammack, and Dr. Benjamin Blackner work together to treat patients in the Lacey community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. They offer CEREC same-day dental crowns so patients can get their new crown in a single visit to the dental office. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (360) 459-4420.