Gateway Family Dental Blog
Why Do Some Dental Crowns Look Fake?
Have you had a dental crown procedure in the past? Are you less than happy with how the crown looks?
Chances are, you aren’t alone. Tons of people hate the way their dental crowns look and wish they could fix their smiles.
Whether your crown is ill-fitting, has a strange color or simply looks “off” or “fake,” it’s probably taking a toll on your self confidence.
Here’s why some dental crowns look less than stellar--and how the right dentist can fix it.
Gray Line at Gums
One of the most common complaints about dental crowns?
A tell-tale grayish or dark border where the tooth meets the gum. This dark line is unsightly, and for many people, it’s a clear indicator that they’ve had dental work done.
So why do so many people experience this issue?
Well, typically, it’s caused by a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. The porcelain is layered on top of a metal post to provide stability and durability for the crown. Unfortunately, some crowns aren’t applied properly to the tooth, or the gum recedes over time. Both of these issues can cause the metal post to be exposed at the top of the crown.
If you’re unhappy with a gray line on your crown, an experienced cosmetic dentist can repair the crown so that the boundary is hidden under the gum.
Gray Tint in Natural Light
Dental crowns that are fixed to a metal post, whether they are porcelain-fused-to-metal or composite, can have a gray tint in natural light. This is because the outer material doesn’t obscure the dark metal beneath.
Sometimes, when the PFM crown is fixed to a front tooth, the difference in tone compared to natural teeth can be stark and unnerving.
Other causes of gray tinting on a crown include tetracycline staining on the underlying teeth and silver fillings showing through.
To effectively correct a gray tint on your crown, your dentist may need to correct the tone of the porcelain or composite resin used on the exposed part of the crown.
Too Opaque in Natural Light
Natural teeth have a certain level of translucence, since the enamel is composed of light-emitting materials.
When crowns are too opaque (solid in color), they don’t emit light. As a result, they can look fake next to natural teeth.
Inexperienced cosmetic dentists may not be able to duplicate the translucent properties of a natural tooth when creating a crown. Layering too much porcelain or composite resin of one color can create a dense, uniform appearance that does not look natural. The opaque color will be especially obvious in natural light.
Fake-looking crowns that are too opaque may need to be corrected. An experienced cosmetic dentist can provide options for a more natural-looking crown material, like all-ceramic.
Cosmetic Dentistry at Gateway Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro
Gateway Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro, TN specializes in cosmetic dentistry
to correct a number of dental issues, including crowns that look fake.
Contact our dental office
to schedule your appointment today.
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