I Need Veneers or Crowns. Can I Have Them Very White?

We all want a very bright smile, but do we want it to be very white? At Prosthetic Dentistry of Washington, D.C., Dr. Marlin makes sure that his patients play a prime role in choosing how white they want their teeth to be. About 30 years ago, Dr. Marlin spent five days with one of the master Japanese ceramists, Masahiro Kuwata, learning the art of applying optimal translucency and internal coloration to porcelain crowns, according to patient desires, to create natural-looking crowns. With this training and expertise, our in-house laboratory, established in 1985, has been providing crowns having a very natural 3D look as white as the patient wants.

The collaboration between dentist and ceramist is what sets apart restorations that merely look white from those that look naturally beautiful. Natural teeth have varying degrees of translucency, subtle gradations of color, and internal light-reflecting properties that contribute to their three-dimensional appearance. Only a skilled ceramist who understands these nuances can create restorations that match this complexity.

Why Choose Elite Prosthetic Dentistry

For an opinion on how to achieve your preferred smile makeover, you can contact Dr. Marlin at 202-244-2101. Whether your restoration needs are for porcelain veneers or crowns, Dr. Marlin can help you achieve the exact aesthetic you desire. During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your goals and see examples of previous cases.

Comparing Your Options: Translucency and Color

Now, let’s look at the key considerations when choosing how white to make your crown or veneer. As we all know, white is the absence of color. Therein lies the main consideration as to how white we would want our crown. The whiter the crown, the less translucency that can be placed at the outside layer, which mimics the natural tooth surface. This is because translucency allows the underlying structure to show through, adding depth and dimension to the restoration. An overly opaque crown, no matter how white, can look artificial and tooth-like rather than natural.

Frequently, with our patients who are requesting very white crowns, we can fabricate trial crowns with more or less translucency to draw a comparison. This gives you the opportunity to see exactly how your restoration will look before we finalize it. You can evaluate how it looks in different lighting, how it matches your adjacent teeth, and whether the translucency level achieves the aesthetic effect you’re seeking.

Fig. 1: Before Custom White Crown Placement

Fig. 2: After Custom White Crown Restoration

The Art and Science of Custom Restorations

Overall, working chairside with our laboratory technician, we customize each person’s crowns and veneers to be as “white” and translucent as he or she wants them to be. This collaborative process ensures that your final restoration matches your vision and integrates beautifully with your natural smile. Our commitment to handcrafted quality means every restoration receives individualized attention to ensure optimal results. Call 202-244-2101 for a comprehensive chairside evaluation with Dr. Marlin and his technician.