Do you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth needing repair, or have you recently undergone a root canal procedure? If so, there’s a good chance that your dentist will recommend placing a dental crown to rebuild your injured tooth’s appearance and function.
Some folks worry that their restoration will look or feel unnatural, but fortunately, these repairs can be customized to match your enamel for seamless results. Continue reading to learn more about how your provider helps customize dental crowns to help enhance your appearance!
What Are Dental Crowns Made From?
Historically, these repairs were made from amalgam, which are still sometimes offered today. This material consists of powdered metals, such as silver, tin, copper, or zinc, mixed with about 50% liquid mercury as a binding agent. Although durable enough to withstand the pressure of daily biting and chewing, these crowns can also make teeth look dark or dirty, leaving patients feeling self-conscious.
But thanks to more recent developments in dental technology and materials, most providers today offer restorations made from composite resin, which bonds directly with your enamel to preserve more of your tooth’s natural strength and structure. This material can also be customized to match your teeth for seamless results that boost your confidence.
How Are Dental Crowns Color-Matched?
Your dentist understands you might be feeling self-conscious about the state of your smile, and will do everything they can to help ensure the repair looks lifelike. This includes selecting just the right hue to match your enamel as closely as possible.
Many providers rely on a shade guide, which is a small card that contains a range of different colors of teeth, to find the closest match. However, other dentists prefer to use a small electronic device, called a spectrometer, to help choose the best option.
Can Dental Crowns be Whitened?
These tooth-shaped caps are made out of durable, color-matched porcelain that is less porous than natural enamel, meaning it’s less likely to soak up pigmented particles and develop discoloration. However, they are not invincible, and repeated or prolonged exposure to common culprits, like tea, coffee, or berries, can eventually leave your restoration looking worse for wear.
Unfortunately, the material doesn’t respond to topical whitening treatments, so preventing stains is the best way to help maintain a brighter grin. If you know you’ll want to lighten the shade of your smile, it’s recommended to do so before having your crown placed, so your dentist can match it to the upgraded tone.
If you have additional questions about the process of being fitted with a lifelike dental crown, you can learn more by contacting your dentist!
About the Practice
Patients at West Broward Dental Associates benefit from two providers who are passionate about helping them improve their lives by enhancing their dental condition. Drs. Armand and Mihran Asinmaz offer a complete menu of services, including dental crowns, to meet all your needs under one roof. They take the time to learn your unique concerns and smile goals, then utilize advanced technology to provide customized treatment plans that provide accurate, comfortable results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (954) 975-7900.