The Color Code: How Dentists Pick the Perfect Shade for Dental Crowns

Have you ever wondered how your dentist can perfectly match restorations, like dental crowns, to the rest of your smile? It’s not magic, but it sure feels like it. The answer lies in a meticulous process called shade matching, which blends art, science, and a little bit of modern dental technology. If you’re curious about how the process works, continue reading. You’ll learn every step from start to seamless finish.

Step One: The Shade Guide

Dentists begin color matching with a shade guide, which looks like a fan of tiny porcelain tabs in different colors. After a brief visual inspection, your dentist will hold the guide next to your teeth to find the closest match.

This takes into account not just brightness (value) but also undertones (hue), which can lean more yellow, gray, or red, and intensity of color (chroma).

Step Two: Considerations for Lighting

The way light hits your smile is more important than you might think. Natural daylight, office lights, and even the color of your clothes can affect how your teeth appear to the eye.

Because of this, many dentists prefer to color-match in natural light or under special lamps designed to mimic it. This helps ensure your crown looks natural in a variety of situations.

Step Three: Digital Scans and Photos

In many modern dental offices, technology serves as a backup for your dentist’s trained eye. Digital scanners and high-resolution photographs can capture subtle details about your teeth, which are then shared with a partnered dental lab. This step helps technicians—who will never see you in person—craft a crown that blends into your natural smile.

Step Four: Lab Expertise

Once your dentist sends in your file full of all their collected notes, a skilled dental technician gets to work. They add layers, tints, or slight translucency to copy the natural look of tooth enamel. Think of it like Photoshop, but for teeth! It’s a fine art, especially since natural teeth have variations of color from top to bottom. 

Step Five: Quality Check

When your crown is ready, your dentist will place it temporarily to see how it looks alongside your other teeth. If adjustments are needed, it can be sent back or to the lab for tweaks before your restoration is finally cemented in place.

As you can see, color-matching crowns is a careful process that ultimately gives you a confident, natural-looking smile. With today’s technology and the artistic eye of your dentist, your crown can blend in so well that no one will know it’s there.

About the Author

Dr. Marianna Gaitsgory earned her DMD from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University and has extensive experience across all forms of dental care. She’s also committed to continuing education and advanced technology, which allows her to deliver natural-looking results with restorations like dental crowns and beyond. Call (508) 875-0900 to schedule a consultation at Framingham Premier Dental or visit our website to see a full menu of our services.