News + Articles
What does a dental crown look like?
A common question patients ask is, “What does a dental crown look like?” A dental crown is designed to look just like a natural tooth.
It has the same shape, size, and color as the original, helping it blend in with your smile.
Whether you need it for protection or cosmetic reasons, the crown restores both function and appearance.
Understanding how it looks is just the start. Let’s now walk through the dental crown procedure to see how it’s made and placed.
Dental Crown Procedure
The dental crown procedure typically involves two visits. On the first visit, your dentist will examine the damaged tooth and remove any decay.
They will then reshape the portion of the tooth so it can support a crown.
After preparing the tooth, your dentist will take an impression and send it to a dental lab to fabricate a new crown that fits perfectly.
A temporary crown is placed in the meantime to protect the prepared tooth.
During the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and places the permanent crown.
The crown placement is carefully checked to ensure a proper bite, natural look, and comfort. With regular dental care, crowns can last many years.
Now that you understand how the dental crown procedure works, let’s take a closer look at real-life results through our before-and-after smile gallery.
Dental Crowns: Before and After Smile Gallery
Image Front Teeth Crowns Before and After
6 front teeth crowns before and after
4 front teeth crowns before and after
2 front teeth crowns before and after
Bottom teeth crowns before and after
Full mouth crowns before and after
Porcelain crowns before and after
Do Dental Crowns Look Natural?
After seeing the before-and-after photos, you may still wonder if dental crowns truly look and feel like real teeth.
The answer lies in how carefully each crown is made to match your natural smile.
In this section, we’ll explore the specific features that make a crown look realistic, from shape and color to shine and gum line fit.
Natural-Looking Tooth Shape and Contour
Dental crowns are custom-made to mirror the natural contour of your existing teeth.
Dentists consider the shape of your surrounding teeth and opposing teeth to ensure the crown fits smoothly.
The crown follows the original anatomy of your tooth, making it feel natural when you bite, speak, or smile.
Color Matching with Natural Teeth
Your dentist will use a shade guide to match the color of the crown with the color variations of your natural teeth.
This process is especially important when placing a crown on front teeth.
Porcelain or ceramic crowns are ideal for this purpose because they reflect light similarly to enamel.
A precise match helps the crown blend in, even in bright light or close-up images.
Lifelike Shine and Surface Texture
The surface of a high-quality crown is polished and textured to replicate the enamel of natural teeth.
This attention to detail helps the crown mimic the light reflection of a healthy tooth and avoids an artificial appearance.
Such crowns are commonly used to restore the appearance of a tooth while maintaining a natural finish.
Seamless Gum Line Integration
Crown placement must consider the gum line to avoid visible gaps.
A properly fitted crown sits snugly against the gum, preventing irritation or bulky edges.
This integration supports both comfort and aesthetics, especially in the case of porcelain crowns placed on front teeth.
Aesthetic Harmony Across the Full Arch
Dental professionals aim to ensure that your new crown doesn’t stand out.
They evaluate the full dental arch, making sure the crown’s shape and color align with the adjacent and opposing teeth.
This aesthetic balance is crucial when placing multiple crowns or when crowns are combined with a dental bridge.
What Does Gum Look Like After Porcelain Crowns?
A beautiful crown isn’t just about the tooth. It’s also about how it blends with your gums.
Healthy gums that fit snugly around a porcelain crown create a seamless, natural look.
Let’s take a closer look at how gums appear before and after crown placement, and what results you can expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes will I see right after getting dental crowns?
You may feel a slight difference in your bite, but the crown looks and feels like a natural tooth.
How long does it take for my mouth to feel normal after crowns?
Most people adjust to their new crown in a few days. If your bite still feels off after a week, see your dentist for a quick adjustment.
Can dental crowns improve my bite and chewing?
Yes, dental crowns can restore chewing ability and stabilize your bite, especially when covering back teeth.
What type of dental crown looks most natural?
Porcelain or ceramic crowns offer the most natural look, especially for visible teeth.
What affects how a dental crown looks?
The type of crown, material used, shade selection, gum fit, and the skills of dental professionals all affect how your crown looks.
Contact Us: Best Dentist in Orange, CA
Are you considering a dental crown or dental implants? Do you have questions about the procedure? Please schedule a consultation with our dentistry office today.
Our team will create a custom plan for you to give you a confident, healthy smile that you’ll be proud to show off!
Dr. Ronald Pham, DDS, is a Doctor of Dental Surgery who graduated from the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry in 2015. With over 8 years of experience in restorative dentistry, including dental implants, crowns, bridges, fillings, root canals…
Dr. Pham has restored the smiles of +2,000 patients and is committed to providing professional dental care focused on patient comfort. He achieves this by combining a welcoming space and state-of-the-art dental technology.
Book Your Appointment Now
Related Articles
Guaranteed Smiles!
As a premiere dentist office in Orange CA, we will always make sure that your experience is memorable, friendly, and professional. We strive to meet your highest expectations in every way imaginable, from your very first interaction with our office staff, to the quality of treatment you receive. We don’t take our patients’ trust for granted, and will promise to over-deliver with your best interest in mind. So give us a call today, and experience our first-class service!
Insurance
Accepted
We proudly accept most dental insurance plans, and welcome cash patients as well. Call us today for more information.
$199
Special
New to our dental office? Take advantage of our New Patient special offer with x-rays, exam, and full report of findings.
Extended
Hours
Do you have an emergency? Need to see us a little later or earlier? Let us know. We can be flexible to meet your busy schedule!
