What is the Process for Color-Matching Dental Crowns?

Your dentist tells you that you need a dental crown because of severe decay/or fracture that is impacting your tooth. Unhappy with the realization, you may be visualizing a silver or gold restoration that catches the eye of everyone you meet. Although this was once the reality for anyone needing a dental crown, it is not anymore. Dentists now use more natural-looking materials to repair damaged teeth. If you’re interested in learning how dental crowns are color-matched to create blended, beautiful smiles, read on.

What Causes Teeth to Be Different Colors?

If you were to look at several pictures, each with a different smile, it would be easy to conclude that all teeth vary in size, shape, and shade. While a beautiful white is what most patients desire, it’s highly unlikely for many reasons, some of which include:

• The consumption of darkly pigmented foods and beverages (i.e., coffee, tea, soda, red wine)
• Unhealthy habits like smoking, using tobacco, and excessive alcohol consumption
• Genetics
• Poor oral hygiene

How Does a Dentist Determine the Proper Shade?

There are various instruments that dental professionals use to ensure the correct color is used to craft customized restorations. One of the most important is a shade guide. This device is often made of plastic and possesses artificial porcelain teeth in various rows. Each with its own tint, the guide is held up next to your natural tooth enamel.

The process of selecting the appropriate color requires a careful eye. Many dentists even ask a colleague to serve as a second opinion.

When using the shade guide, a dentist must make sure that natural light is present. Bulbs that cast a more yellowed tone will make it harder to pinpoint the correct color, so sitting near a window will likely be the best option when using a shade guide. Also, you’ll likely be asked to wear more muted colors so that it doesn’t cause too harsh of a contrast.

What Happens After the Color is Chosen?

Once your dentist selects the right shade for your new crown, specifications will be provided to lab technicians who will begin work to craft your new restoration.

Using materials that not only match the color of your existing teeth but also mimic the natural translucence of enamel, you’ll have a new dental crown bonded into place over your vulnerable tooth that looks natural, feels comfortable, and blends in seamlessly.

Shining a spotlight on your dental work is no longer something you need to fear. In fact, no one will ever need to know that you have a dental crown. Only you and your dentist.

About the Author
Dr. Cooper Owens graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery. While in school, he received the Health Professions Scholarship from the U.S. Air Force. Commissioned as a Captain, he served for six years before being honorably discharged in 2008. After moving to Chardon, he purchased the Geneva dental office the same year. Offering beautifully crafted dental crowns, he and his team will work to ensure that your dental work remains subtle so that others never need to know. Contact us at (440) 466-4884 to find out more about our natural-looking restorations.