When you think of your dentist, you likely don’t envision them holding a palette of paint next to a canvas, but the truth of the matter is that dentistry requires a certain artistic eye. For instance, when they choose the shade for your dental crowns in Lincoln, your dentist pays close attention to the minute details and picks the one that is the closest match to your natural teeth. To learn more about this process, keep reading this informative post!
What tools does the dentist use to match a dental crown?
Although choosing the right shade for your dental crown is fundamentally subjective, your dentist doesn’t just select one at random. Generally, dentists utilize a shade guide, which is a metal or plastic card that has fake porcelain teeth attached, to determine the unique color of your tooth. Your dentist will hold the shade guide up to your natural teeth to find the example that most closely matches.
What helps the dentist make the best aesthetic decision?
Learning how to color match dental crowns in Lincoln isn’t a skill that can be taught only in a book or a classroom. To get the best results, you need to work with a dentist who has learned through experience how to combine and balance the science and art of dentistry. On top of their acquired skills, the dentist may use the following techniques to make the right choice for your restored tooth:
- Natural light or florescent lights that simulate natural light provide the most ideal setting for judging the actual shade of teeth.
- If you are wearing brightly colored clothing or bright makeup, your dentist may mute them by placing a gray bib over you. That way, their eyes can more accurately compare the shade guide with your natural teeth.
Who creates the dental crown?
In many practices, the dentist has to send photos and data to a dental lab for fabrication, a process that can take weeks to complete. Once the crown is ready, you return to the dental office to have it placed. However, some dental practices use CEREC technology, which allows the dentist to design and mill the custom crown right there in the office and then place it all during the same appointment. This can save you significant time, effort, and money. Also, it can ensure that you’re completely satisfied with the prosthetic tooth from the beginning.
What if the dental crown is the wrong color?
With all these precautions and tools to assist your dentist, it’s unlikely that the shade of your dental crown will be noticeably inconsistent with the rest of your smile. However, sometimes mistakes happen. With dental labs, the crown would need to be sent back and recreated, leaving you waiting for another extended period of time. With CEREC one-visit crowns, your dentist can make any necessary alterations and make sure you’re happy with the results right away.
When you need a dental crown, you want it to look as if your tooth was never decayed or damaged to begin with. Finding a provider who integrates art with the science of dentistry will ensure that your smile will appear seamless and natural, and a CEREC dental practice can help you have high-quality results faster.
About the Practice
At Pioneer Greens Dentistry, two out of the three dentists have advanced training in CEREC same-day restorations. Dr. Chris Haag and Dr. Clair Haag are both active in the CEREC Study Club of Lincoln, have years of dentistry experience, and use this technology routinely in the practice. To learn more about getting crowns from Pioneer Greens Dentistry, you can call (402) 483-7502 or click here.