When you picture a dentist, the image your brain comes up with me be that of an expert of all things related to the oral cavity. If that’s the case, it may surprise you to learn that dentists think of themselves as artists as much as dental health professionals. The field of dentistry is a perfect blend of art and science, especially where repairing decayed or broken teeth with a dental crown is concerned. Picking the right shade for your restoration requires the use of several techniques and a keen eye to ensure that your smile looks healthy and uniform. Read on to learn why teeth are different colors and about the science behind the process of color-matching your dental crowns.

Why Teeth Are Different Colors

One mouth can contain teeth of several different colors. This usually happens when existing dental work like fillings or crowns becomes discolored over time. It can also result from dental staining from drinking dark or highly pigmented beverages like cola, tea, red wine, and coffee. Having teeth of various colors make picking the right shade for dental crowns much more difficult, but your dentist will always try matching it to the adjacent tooth for the best results.

How Do Dentists Choose the Right Color?

While picking the perfect color for a dental crown, your dentist will take their time to get it right. Choosing a shade that’s even slightly different can make the crown stick out from the rest of your smile, especially if the tooth is located at the front of your smile. Many dentists use a shade guide, which is a plastic or metal card with rows of porcelain teeth in a variety of hues. Your dentist will hold this guide up to your teeth during your first appointment to find the best match.

How Your Dentist Can Create a Custom Tooth Shade

To make sure your smile is uniform, your dentist will use several tactics to ensure that that match is as close as possible, including:

• Natural light – Things will look different depending on the lighting. That’s why your dentist will use natural light to get the best color-match results.
• Controlling color contrast –If you’re wearing brightly colored makeup, this can make it difficult for your dentist to focus on the shades of your teeth. Therefore, they may ask you to remove it or use a gray apron to make it easier for them to focus.
• Analyzing images of adjacent teeth –Through the use of advanced technology, some dentists can take pictures of your adjacent teeth and analyze their color to better match the shade of your dental crown.

Picking the right shade for your dental crown is key to making sure your smile looks uniform and natural. With the right dentist, your crown will be perfectly color-matched, and your pearly whites will look as healthy and beautiful as ever!

About the Practice

Dr. Leslie Metzger and her exceptional team of oral health professionals at Monet Aesthetic Dentistry are proud to offer high-quality, family-friendly dental care to the patients in Farmington and the surrounding communities. If you have a severely damaged tooth that’s in need of a dental crown, they can explain how the process works and make sure it’s color-matched to seamlessly blend in with the rest of your smile. Are you interested in learning more about dental crowns or are you ready to make an appointment? Call Monet Aesthetic Dentistry’s office at (248) 476-3410 or visit their website to get started.