Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: aesthetic control.

A pleasing dental appearance is the subjective appreciation of the shade, shape and arrangement of the teeth and their relationship to the gingiva, lips and facial features. Achieving such a pleasing appearance in our patients is not always easy but is critical, not least because our work is effectively on display and this has implications for patients' perceptions of our practice. To be successful, thorough assessment, careful planning and precise clinical execution is required. Every bit as important though, is good communication, both with the dental laboratory and particularly with the patient. In few areas of dentistry can effective communication be as critical as it is here.