If you’ve ever had a root canal or an incredibly damaged tooth, chances are high that your dentist fitted you with a dental crown to protect it after it was repaired. Your restoration is created to fit snuggly over the vulnerable tooth to shield it from further injury and restore its functionality so you can eat and speak normally. Plus, it’s customized to be the same shade as your natural smile so no one will notice it’s there.
Many patients are curious about how their dentist color-matches their restoration. If you’re wondering, keep reading to find out!
What Determines Tooth Color?
Your dentist combines science with art to find the perfect tone for your dental crown. If this sounds like it might be tricky, that’s because it can be! There are a few different factors to consider when determining the appropriate color, including:
- Hue. This refers to the overall pigment of your teeth which generally contain yellow, red, and gray.
- Value. The value indicates how light or dark the shade is.
- Chroma. This measures how saturated or intense the hue needs to be.
How Is Tooth-Color Perceived?
Because the enamel of your teeth is translucent, it can reflect light in different ways that can influence how they’re visualized by the human eye. Don’t be surprised if your dentist requests that you remove any bright makeup or lipstick that could impact the results of color-matching. It’s also important to decide the correct tone under more natural lighting, like near a window, or under fluorescent lights because regular lights have a yellow tint. If you’re wearing bright shades, you might be draped with a gray cloth or bib to reduce color contrasts.
How Are Teeth Color-Matched?
The method your dentist will use to find a color to match your natural pearly whites depends on what technology they have onsite. The tried-and-true method is the most common and involves using a shade guide. It’s comprised of a metal or plastic card that’s lined with fake porcelain teeth in a variety of hues. Your dentist can hold this up to your teeth to find the closest equivalent tone.
If they have one available, your dentist might use a small electronic device, called a spectrometer, to interpret the color of your teeth digitally. From there, computer programs can help determine an appropriate match.
Once the closest match is verified, this information will be sent along with any images and impressions taken of your teeth to create your dental crown. Soon, you’ll have a beautiful, lifelike restoration to complete your smile!
About the Practice
At Avion Dental & Orthodontics, people of all ages benefit from a full range of services provided by a team of experts all under one roof, including dental crowns. They take the time to get to know your unique dental needs so they can offer individualized solutions to meet them. Plus, their fun and friendly atmosphere includes games and amenities to help patients and their families feel comfortable throughout their visit. If you need a dental crown and would like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (972) 807-9887.