Dental crowns are one of the most common methods of repairing damaged and broken teeth, and it’s easy to see why. They can be customized in any number of ways to ensure that they perfectly fit your smile, and more than that, elevate it.
An important aspect of that is the color-matching, where your dentist will select the particular shade that will be used for your restoration. This is obviously incredibly important, as a dental crown that isn’t well suited to the rest of your smile will stand out immediately.
So if you’re curious, here’s how a dentist tackles this important aspect of the reconstruction process.
The Scientific Method
As you can imagine, dentists don’t take on the work of color matching lightly, and they certainly won’t be unprepared. There are several tools at their disposal to make this process as seamless as possible.
First, location is key. Color matching needs to be done in a certain light in order to ensure accuracy, which means that your dentist will likely either place you by a window or under fluorescent lights that simulate sunlight. Then the dentist will compare your teeth to a shade guide, a series of porcelain shells that of various colors. Each color has its own standardized notation, which allows for easy communication with the dental lab.
The Human Element
Of course, a big part of the color selection process comes down to the artistic eye of your dentist. One of the things that draws many dentists to the field is this unique combination of art and science, which means that they often revel in these opportunities to demonstrate how close they can get to the smile you’re looking for.
However, they’ll also be careful here, taking precautions to ensure that their color vision isn’t thrown off. This usually entails covering the clothes with a small gray bib, preventing them from clashing with the color of your teeth. It also gives your dentists eyes a place to rest, which will be necessary as they make the decision for what color your crown should be.
It’s natural to be a little bit nervous about the color matching process, but as you now know, your dentists are very prepared to help you.
About the Author
Dr. Leslie Metzger distinguishes herself from other dentists not only with her extensive clinical expertise, but via her capacity to form strong connections with her patients. These relationships make her work all the more enriching. Dr. Metzger received her dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, and has completed extensive studies at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.
If you have any questions about dental crowns, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (248) 476-3410.