If you really think about it, oral healthcare is as much an art as it is a science. After all, your dentist has the unique ability to design customized restorations and smile makeovers on a wide range of mouths, considering a variety of important factors like facial symmetry, skin tone, and the appearance of their existing healthy teeth. In fact, you may have noticed this eye for aesthetics in your own dental work, including your dental crowns. So, how exactly does your dentist get your crowns to match your smile so perfectly? Here’s a closer look how they select the color for these durable, lifelike prosthetics.
Visual Interpretation
Much like your skin and hair, your teeth also have their own unique color. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re not just one color but may have nuances that are influenced by the thickness, translucency, and even the shade of your dentin in the layers beneath.
When creating your dental crown, one of the ways your dentist selects the color is with a visual inspection. Although the treatment area in the exam room is very well lit, they may use multiple lighting options to get a more accurate estimate.
Shade Guides
Shade guides can be used in a variety of treatment options, including veneers, tooth-colored fillings, and dental crowns. They can even help patients see how much their tooth shade has changed after professional whitening. These handy charts allow your dentist to assign an appropriate number to the color of your tooth, so the dental lab will know which one your crown should match.
Spectrometer
Although they may not always be necessary in every situation, these incredible devices can provide an added perspective when determining the shade of your new crown. They work by detecting color wavelengths, adding a bit of science to the aesthetic side of your smile!
The Final Product
Using the images and impressions of your tooth and their expert determination of the ideal shade, your dentist can now send the specifications for your crown to the dental lab. There, a lab technician will mix the right combination of powders to create the ideal shade of your restoration before firing and glazing it, so it looks like a realistic tooth. Once the crown is ready, it will be sent back to your dentist’s office where you will return to have it cemented in place to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile!
Remember, your dental crown is as much a work of art as it is a useful restoration for your damaged tooth. If you’re considering getting one of these durable, lifelike prosthetics, you can rest assured that your newly restored smile will look and feel as natural and beautiful as possible!
About Our Practice
At Grateful Dentists, Dr. Danzig and Dr. Snook love helping improve their patients’ smiles. With an incredible mix of compassion, skill, and artistry, they are proud to offer a variety of treatments that will leave you looking and feeling your best, including both lab made and CEREC dental crowns. If you’re ready to restore your damaged teeth and get back your healthy, gorgeous grin, schedule a consultation for dental crowns today by visiting our website or calling 978-667-5807.