Franklin 
Teeth aren’t just white or yellow – they come in a wide range of shades! So, you might naturally be curious about how your dentist picks the perfect color for your dental crown. You want it to blend in perfectly with your existing smile, after all. To learn a few steps they take to ensure it’s the perfect match, keep reading.
Step #1. Create Ideal Lighting Conditions
Selecting the perfect shade requires good lighting conditions. Even something “small,” like a fluorescent, yellow light bulb being used can throw off the selection process. That’s why your dentist may ask you to come toward the window: natural light! They may also ask you to remove bright-colored lipstick or place a neutral-colored bib over your shirt if it’s a vibrant color.
Step #2. Determine the Shade
To find the perfect match, your dentist will look at the shade, not just the color. This is broken up into three categories: the hue, the chroma, and the value. While the hue is the same as the color (i.e., yellow, red, or gray), chroma is the saturation, and value is how light or dark the shade is. With all of this in mind, your dentist will be ready to move onto the next step.
Step #3. Use the Shade Guide to Find the Perfect Match
One of the last steps will be to use a shade guide to find the perfect match. This tool is simply a plastic card filled with different shades of porcelain, ranging from light to dark. By placing it against your natural teeth, they can get a direct comparison, which will help them find the best one.
Step #4. Get a Second Opinion
Before making the final decision, your dentist will ask for a second opinion. Typically, this is another dental professional, like your dental assistant. However, they may also ask you to take a look to see what you think too! Taking this extra step minimizes the chances of selecting the wrong shade.
The shade-matching process is both detailed and in-depth. That way, you end up with a smile that is as beautiful as it is functional!
About the Practice
Dr. Franklin-Pitts loves helping her friends and neighbors in Tyler smile – she even went to Tyler High School before earning her undergraduate degree at Prairie View A&M University. The next step was to earn her dental doctorate at Howard University. Now, she is a member of the American Dental Association, the East Texas Dental Society, and several other professional organizations. If you want to learn more about the shade-matching process or you’d like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (903) 730-6314.