Do you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth requiring treatment or have you recently undergone a root canal procedure? If so, your dentist will likely recommend placing a dental crown to protect and preserve your injured tooth while restoring its appearance and functionality.
In the past, these restorations were made from amalgam mixtures of metal, but today, your provider can place a dental crown that’s customized to match your natural enamel. Continue reading to learn more about how they ensure the color fits your smile seamlessly!
What Are Dental Crowns Made From?
Historically, these tooth-shaped caps were made from a mixture of liquid mercury and various alloys, such as silver, tin, copper, or gold. Although incredibly durable, these materials can also cause allergies due to the various components or sensitivity because they expand and contract with temperature changes.
As a result, most dentists today use tooth-colored porcelain, which can be made to match the size, shape, and tone of your natural teeth for lifelike results that boost your confidence. Not only that, but this biocompatible material is much less likely to cause sensitivity.
How Does My Dentist Color-Match My Dental Crown?
It’s only natural to have questions about how your provider designs your one-of-a-kind cover, and many patients want to know how the correct color is chosen. However, the methodology can vary slightly depending on your provider, their preferences, and the type of technology they use.
For instance, some dentists rely on a shade guide, which is a card that contains samples of a variety of tooth colors to help select the hue that resembles your enamel. Others rely on digital instruments, like a spectrometer, to detect the color wavelength in order to select the proper tone. Whether your teeth have red, yellow, or gray undertones, your dentist can find a shade to match.
How Can I Maintain the Shade of My Restoration?
The resilient ceramic of your dental crown is less porous than enamel, so it doesn’t absorb pigmentation at the same rate. That means you might stain your teeth faster than your restoration if you’re not careful.
You can maintain the perfect shade by brushing and flossing twice daily to remove plaque that gives darkly toned particles a surface to cling to. Also, limiting your exposure to deeply colored foods, like coffee, tea, berries, and tomatoes, can prevent additional discoloration.
If you’re concerned about the color of your dental crown, your dentist can help professionally clean it to remove surface stains or discuss a replacement as necessary.
Meet the Author
Dr. Nelson Howard has decades of experience helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry and is one of only 490+ dentists worldwide to become an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He’s also an active member of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics and other organizations, making him an expert at color-matching restorations to your smile. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (760) 599-6559.