What type or brand of crowns should I request for my front teeth? I have a dark root canal tooth, and I want to hide the discoloration. I read that feldspathic layered porcelain will blend perfectly with my natural teeth. Is that correct? If so, I can talk to my dentist about my preferences. Thanks. Dakota from GA
Dakota,
Achieving beautiful dental crowns depends more on the skill of the professional creating them than the material itself. While it’s true that porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cannot achieve a completely natural look, several all-ceramic options can appear so lifelike that it’s challenging for trained eyes to distinguish them from natural teeth. All-ceramic crowns are strong enough for front teeth
Ultimately, your focus should be on finding a dentist with strong artistic ability. Allow the dentist to choose a material with which they are comfortable, as skilled cosmetic dentists often collaborate with a master ceramist who is also intimately familiar with that material, enabling them to craft stunning results.
How to Conceal a Dark Tooth with a Crown
Dental crowns
Addressing any underlying dark tooth discoloration is crucial for achieving a natural-looking crown, and various techniques are available to accomplish this. Some dentists prefer to block out the dark color using a composite buildup material before placing the crown. In contrast, others instruct their lab technicians to incorporate an opaque layer within the crown itself.
Most widely used crown materials—including feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate, or zirconia—can be made opaque to effectively mask discoloration. With zirconia and lithium disilicate, the ceramist will layer these materials with feldspathic porcelain to achieve a natural appearance. Many expert cosmetic dentists achieve excellent results with e.max crowns, which have a strong lithium disilicate core overlaid with feldspathic porcelain.
How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist for Crown Matching
The most significant challenge in your situation will be finding a dentist and ceramist team capable of successfully masking the dark color of one front tooth while achieving a perfect match with the adjacent front tooth. Look for a dentist with postgraduate cosmetic dentistry training—preferably an accredited dentist. The dentist will determine which crowns are best for your front teeth and highly aesthetic outcome.
Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Read why so many patients view Dr. Brooksher as one of the best dentists in Baton Rouge.
