If you need a dental implant, your dentist has more than likely already gone over your options with you. However, there is one option you have available to you that they may not have covered--you can get a tattoo put on the crown of the implant. If this is something that appeals to you, talk to a professional dentist, like those at Pine Ridge Dental Group, about getting a tattoo for your crown. Below you will learn about the process of getting a tattoo put on your crown and how to choose the right one for you.

Is it safe to have a tattoo put on a crown?

There is no difference between how a tattooed crown and a traditional crown are made. This means you don't have to be concerned with the strength of a tattooed crown. It's not advisable to have a tattoo put on a healthy tooth since the tooth would need to be ground down and have a crown put on it. This means you would need to wear a crown on that tooth from that point forward.

How is the tattoo put on the crown?

When your dentist orders your crown, they will include all the necessary information on the tattoo you have chosen with the prescription. At the lab, the tattoo will be designed into your crown while they are designing it. The tattoo will be embedded into the crown, right below the last layers. This allows the tattoo to be seen clearly while keeping it protected from wear and tear.

Are they permanent?

A crown tattoo is considered permanent, but they can be removed in the future should you decide you no longer want the tattoo. The dentist will be able to remove the tattoo by using a special tool to grind down the first few layers of the crown. These layers are relatively thin, so this won't affect the strength of the crown. It will also be polished afterward so the removal won't leave noticeable marks.

How can a tattoo that small be recognizable?

As long as you choose your design carefully, the tattoo can be easily recognized. You want to choose something without a lot of detail and with familiar colors and shapes. Hearts, flowers and sports team logos are a few good examples. You should stay away from certain colors and designs that look like you have something stuck in your teeth. For example, a small green clover can look like broccoli caught in your teeth and a black word may look like a crack in your tooth.

Once you choose the best design for your tattoo, you want to give it to the dentist along with any other instructions, such as colors. When you get your crown you can be thrilled for both your new tooth and your new tattoo.