If you or someone you know has gotten a dental crown, you may know how they blend seamlessly into the rest of your smile. It can seem fascinating how close the color is to the rest of your teeth, but how does your dentist do this? They do it through a process called shade matching! It helps ensure that your restoration looks natural without being obvious. Keep reading to learn more about when art meets dentistry.
Step #1: Using a Shade Guide
To begin getting the right color, your dentist will bring out a shade guide. This is like a set of porcelain tabs; each one is a different color. It will be held against your teeth, and they will start to find a match. A lot of different things are taken into account during this part, such as how bright the tooth is, any undertones, and other colors (such as yellow, gray, red) that are in it.
Step #2: Getting the Lighting Just Right
The light in the room is also an important thing that will need to be considered. Your teeth may look different depending on whether they are under natural daylight or office lights. Even sometimes your clothes can change how they look!
If you are wearing something brightly colored, then you might be covered with a gray bib. This will help give a neutral place for your dentist to rest their eyes while looking at the shade guide and your teeth. They will also ensure they are using natural light or a lamp that’s specially made to mimic it.
Step #3: Photos and Digital Scans
In the age of technology, different tools may also be used to help ensure your crown comes out perfectly! Some dentists have a small device that can interpret tooth color, or they will take scans and pictures to get all the details they can. This is then shared with a dental lab, which will create your restoration.
Step #4: Lab Crafting
A lab technician will get all your dentist’s notes about your crown, and then they will get to work. Since you won’t see them in person, they use everything they can to ensure it comes out customized just for you. They will add different layers to it, tints, and sometimes even a bit of translucency, so that it looks just like natural enamel.
Step #5: Checking the Quality
When it gets sent back, you will be back in your treatment chair to have it placed. Beforehand, your dentist will see how it looks against your other teeth and make notes if any adjustments are needed. If so, it will get sent back to the lab, but if not, then it will be cemented on!
While color matching a restoration can be hard work, it’s something that is needed to ensure it looks as natural as possible! Combining artistry with dentistry can help you feel more confident that you will have a crown that is both functional and aesthetic.
About the Author
Dr. Praveena Muddana earned her dental degree from the NYU College of Dentistry. She is committed to giving the community the highest-quality care possible through safe and effective treatments. With her keen eye and attention to detail, you can trust that your restoration, whether it’s a crown or something else, leaves you with results you love. If you want to learn more, schedule an appointment or call either of her convenient offices in Milwaukee or Grafton.