When you receive a recommendation for a new crown on a tooth, one of the first questions that goes through your mind is: “What does a crown look like for teeth?”
That’s a fair question!
A crown is more than just necessary for your oral health. It is also important for your appearance, which affects your confidence.
In this blog, we will cover what dental crowns look like, the various styles and types of crowns, and what to expect if you are considering one.
What is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a custom-designed casing that sits over your tooth. It is used to regain the shape, strength, and/or function of a tooth that is broken, fragile, or otherwise aesthetically displeasing. Crowns are a staple of today’s dentistry, and millions of people have them.
What Does a Crown Look Like for Teeth?
A dental crown resembles the tooth that it covers. When you look at a crown on a tray before it’s put in, it appears to be a hollowed-out tooth. It appears as a solid outer layer similar to a real tooth with a hollow structure inside, which goes over the prepared natural tooth or post implant.
Once nestled in your mouth, a crown is indistinguishable from one of your own teeth. In fact, it can look much better. That’s because dental labs can replicate your crown’s size, shape, and color to match your surrounding teeth. If you were not aware that it was there, you would be hard-pressed to see anything.
Different Types of Crowns and How They Look
The answer to “what does a crown look like for teeth” can vary depending on the type of crown you choose. Here are the most common options:
1. Porcelain Crowns
The most common are porcelain crowns because they look the most natural. They’re designed to be molded in the color and translucency of actual enamel. When you smile, no one will probably tell the difference between your crown and your own teeth.
2. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
The crowns are a metal base covered by an aesthetic porcelain outer shell. They’re natural-looking to the naked eye, but sometimes, if gums pull back over time, a tiny line of dark metal can show near the gumline.
3. Metal Crowns
An all-gold or all-silver crown is less frequent on front teeth nowadays, but they are more commonly found in the back, where strength is generally valued over aesthetics. What does the crown for teeth look like here? Imagine a shiny, metal tooth that’s strong but super obvious.
4. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are tough and beautiful. They offer the strength of metal with the aesthetic of porcelain. They’re often chosen for people who want durability and a natural look.
5. Temporary Crowns
Your dentist can put a temporary crown on if your permanent crown is still being made. These are typically made of acrylic or resin and might not look as polished as the end result, but they’ll get the job done until your custom crown is ready.
What Influences the Appearance of a Crown
There are a few factors that influence how a crown will appear in your mouth:
- Color matching: Your dentist will determine a color that closely matches your natural teeth.
- Shape and dimensions: Crowns are made to blend in with your smile and are designed to fit comfortably against your bite.
- General Placement: A crown on a front tooth generally requires aesthetics, while a crown on the back (molar), more strength.
Can People Tell If You Have a Crown?
Most of the time, no. Patients are mostly concerned with the aesthetics of their dental crown, and the question that pops up in their mind is how easily it will be noticed by other people. With modern crown technology and materials, crowns look almost identical to natural teeth, especially porcelain and zirconia crowns. Unless someone looks very hard, they probably won’t tell.
Everyday Appearance and Feel
The question of “what does a crown look like for teeth?” can also be answered by discussing how it feels to have one in place while engaging in daily activities. After it is in place, the tooth behaves exactly like a natural tooth and is no longer discolored. You can talk confidently, eat anything you want, and smile without feeling self-conscious. Many patients even claim that they eventually forget they have the crown.
Why Crowns Are Worth Considering
It’s not enough to know what a tooth crown looks like; you also need to know why they’re important. In addition to improving appearance, a crown shields the tooth underneath from further harm, decay, and even fracture. Because it combines form and function, many dentists recommend it over other treatments for teeth that are having problems.
Endnote
So, what does a crown look like for teeth? It appears to be exactly like a normal tooth and can, in fact, even look better. Your crown will be carefully designed to match your smile, and you’ll feel comforted by the newfound brilliance granted by either porcelain, zirconia, or a porcelain-fused-to-metal option.
Remember, dental crowns are more realistic these days than ever if you’re considering getting one, so don’t be put off by my old metal mug mouth. If you make the right choice in terms of dentist and material, your crown should feel entirely natural for you and completely invisible to others.
FAQs About What a Crown Looks Like for Teeth
1. Do crowns appear to be artificial?
No, crowns now are meant to look natural. Most people won’t know you have one thanks to the fact that materials, including zirconia and porcelain, emulate enamel.
2. Will the crown be of the same shade as my other teeth?
To make the crown appear natural and match your smile, dentists also use shade guides to ensure that it is a perfect match for the rest of your teeth.
3. Can crowns be used on front teeth?
Absolutely. Crowns on front teeth are carefully shaped and color-matched to look as natural as possible, often indistinguishable from surrounding teeth.
4. How long does a crown last?
Using good care, crowns usually last 10–15 years. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental check ups some may last even longer.
5. Do crowns feel different from natural teeth?
At first, you may see more subtle changes. But after that, crowns are so natural when you’re eating, talking, and smiling.