Everyone knows that dentists are experts when it comes to anything that involves teeth and gums. However, creating a healthy and beautiful smile requires more than just extensive knowledge in dentistry – it requires artistic skills as well. Repairing a broken or decayed tooth with a dental crown is a unique process that combines artistry and healthcare. Dentists must have a keen eye and use a variety of techniques to choose the perfect shade for your restoration, ensuring that the results blend seamlessly with your remaining teeth. That said, here’s a brief explanation of the science behind this fascinating process!
Are All Teeth the Same Color?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that one mouth can have teeth that are several different colors. It could be because of staining or existing dental work (i.e., fillings or crowns) that’s become discolored over time. Whatever the case is, it can make the shade selection process much more difficult. If you are in need of a dental crown or another type of restoration, your dentist will always try and customize a shade that matches the adjacent tooth space for the best results.
Choosing the Right Color
Initially, picking the right color of your dental crown may not seem like a difficult task. But as we learned earlier, it’s not as easy as one might think because teeth are all sorts of different shades, even in the same mouth. It’s incredibly important that your dentist takes their time choosing a color because even a slight difference is highly noticeable, especially in the front of your smile.
For the best results, your dentist will likely use a shade guide. It’s a metal or plastic card that has rows of fake porcelain teeth in a wide range of hues. At your initial visit, your dentist will hold the guide up to your natural teeth to find the color that precisely matches.
How Your Dentist Creates a Custom-Shade of Your Teeth
Since a mismatched dental crown can affect your appearance, your dentist will take their time when choosing the correct color. Aside from using a shade guide, there are many other ways they’ll check to make sure they choose the right color. That includes:
- Using natural light. Did you know that different types of light (i.e., warm, soft, bright) can change the way something looks? Your dentist will compare your teeth and style guide using natural light to ensure you get the best results.
- Controlling color contrast. Since bright colors can make it difficult for your dentist to focus on the shades of your teeth, they might ask you to remove bright-colored makeup or use a gray apron to focus.
- Analyzing images of adjacent teeth. Some dentists may use advanced technology to take pictures of your adjacent teeth and analyze their color.
A properly color-matched dental crown will make it look like nothing was ever wrong with your smile in the first place! With the right dentist, you can achieve the flawless appearance you deserve.
About the Practice
At Clear Coast Dental, we strive to create a warm, welcoming, and relaxing environment that’ll leave you smiling after every appointment. Our team uses the latest technologies and techniques to ensure you receive the best treatment possible. If you need a dental crown, we will color-match it precisely to make sure it blends seamlessly with your grin. Visit our website or call (508) 812-9294 to make an appointment today.
