I Regret Agreeing to Monolithic Zirconia Crowns

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I would not have agreed to eight monolithic zirconia crowns from my upper front teeth if I had known they would be bright, solid white. My teeth look fake. Although the crowns were so pricey that I’m on a payment plan for them, the starkness of their color makes them look fake. I got the crowns because my dentist assured me that they would last, given zirconia’s durability. I never thought that the crowns would look fake, though. Is this a known drawback of getting zirconia crowns for front teeth? Thanks. Amelya from IL

Amelya,

We are sorry that your anticipation for a new smile led to disappointment.

Zirconia provides excellent strength for crowns. Dental labs shape it from solid blocks with computer-guided milling machines, creating a crown that fits precisely. However, zirconia alone lacks the natural color gradations of real teeth.

For crowns in the smile zone, technicians apply porcelain over zirconia. They layer and bake the porcelain to blend subtle shades, replicating the appearance of a natural tooth. A monolithic zirconia crown—one without porcelain—cannot achieve this effect for a front tooth. Porcelain-layered zirconia, on the other hand, allows dental crowns on front teeth to look completely natural.

Why Does Crown Placement Matter?

Dental crowns

An advanced cosmetic dentist and master ceramist produce natural-looking crowns

Restoring one or two front teeth is straightforward, but restoring all of them requires advanced training. Positioning crowns too far forward changes the harmony of the smile. This type of case demands an expert eye and refined technique.

How Can You Choose a Cosmetic Dentist?

Look for a dentist with strong cosmetic credentials to correct your crowns.

The following points can help guide your search:

  • AACD Accreditation: Members accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry pass comprehensive written and clinical exams.
  • Case Photographs: Even non-accredited dentists should present photos of their work so you can see results that are similar to your dental crowns case.

These steps ensure you choose a dentist with artistry and expertise to restore your smile.

Understanding Fees for Aesthetic Dental Crowns

High-quality cosmetic dentistry is rarely inexpensive. Skilled dentists work with the best laboratories and take time to ensure excellent outcomes with zirconia crowns. While some charge premium fees, many keep prices in line with regional standards. We recommend consulting a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. What you can expect for your investment in quality and expertise is beautiful, lasting work.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Discover why many patients consider Dr. Brooksher one of the best dentists in Baton Rouge.

Can a New Crown Over My Dark Front Tooth Be Matched with an Existing Veneer?

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My left front tooth has progressively turned darker after getting a root canal in 2021. I’ve had three crowns on the tooth since the root canal. Each time, the darkness of the tooth is visible despite the crown. My most recent dentist recommended a porcelain veneer on the incisor tooth next to my front tooth to close a gap. The veneer is lighter than my other teeth, and, of course, it makes the dark crowned tooth even more noticeable. I’ve had the crown for six years, and I’m ready to try again. What do you suggest? Thanks. Helena from KS

Helena,

Wanting a crown that not only functions well but also looks great is reasonable. While zirconia is known for its strength, it often requires being layered with porcelain to look like a natural tooth. Your challenge, however, revolves around masking the dark color of the underlying tooth. This isn’t a simple task and depends on collaboration between your dentist and the ceramist who creates the crown. Ideally, this team will have a well-defined process and proven track record of successfully handling similar situations.

How to Match a New Crown Over a Dark Tooth with an Existing Porcelain Veneer

An advanced cosmetic dentist can match a new crown over a dark tooth with an existing veneer by collaborating with a skilled dental ceramist. The dentist’s role extends beyond requesting a final color. Top cosmetic dentists seek specialized dental ceramists. Master ceramists who possess the expertise to correct such aesthetic challenges are rare. For instance, many expert cosmetic dentists would partner with ceramists who, despite being geographically distant, could consistently deliver the high level of aesthetic quality required. This underscores that creating beautiful cosmetic dentistry is a team effort.

Trained cosmetic dentists accurately communicate the initial shade of the underlying tooth, often including photographs for reference. While some dentists prefer to apply the opaquer to the tooth themselves before sending it to the ceramist, others leave this step to the ceramist. Both approaches can work if communication is precise and detailed.

Your upfront commitment to finding a dentist with extensive post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training and experience will yield a highly aesthetic outcome. Your cosmetic dentist and ceramist will adhere to guidelines similar to these:

  • Strategic Communication: The dentist must precisely communicate the desired final shade and the underlying tooth color to the ceramist, often using visual aids.
  • Mastering Opaquing: Whether applied by the dentist or ceramist, the opaquer should be used carefully and deeply within the crown to prevent an overly opaque, unnatural look.
  • Layering for Depth: Building the crown with inner opaquing and outer translucent porcelain layers is key to achieving a natural, varied appearance.

A common misstep in aesthetic crown fabrication is applying too much opaquer, which can lead to a stark, unnatural white appearance devoid of natural color variations. To avoid this, the opaquing material should be applied deeply within the crown, allowing for more translucent porcelain layers to be placed on top. This technique helps to develop a deep, lifelike translucency in the final crown.

Why Choose a Skilled Cosmetic Dentist?

Close up of right lateral incisor and upper and lower teethIt’s excellent that your dentist suggested a porcelain veneer for your other front tooth because the treatment is far more conservative than getting a dental crown. However, concealing a dark tooth with a dental crown and matching the crown to an existing porcelain veneer is a demanding task. This level of intricate color matching requires a dentist and ceramist who possess exceptional training and proven skills in color theory and application. Schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist.

What Are the Best Crowns for My Front Teeth?

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What type or brand of crowns should I request for my front teeth? I have a dark root canal tooth, and I want to hide the discoloration. I read that feldspathic layered porcelain will blend perfectly with my natural teeth. Is that correct? If so, I can talk to my dentist about my preferences. Thanks. Dakota from GA

Dakota,

Achieving beautiful dental crowns depends more on the skill of the professional creating them than the material itself. While it’s true that porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cannot achieve a completely natural look, several all-ceramic options can appear so lifelike that it’s challenging for trained eyes to distinguish them from natural teeth. All-ceramic crowns  are strong enough for front teeth

Ultimately, your focus should be on finding a dentist with strong artistic ability. Allow the dentist to choose a material with which they are comfortable, as skilled cosmetic dentists often collaborate with a master ceramist who is also intimately familiar with that material, enabling them to craft stunning results.

How to Conceal a Dark Tooth with a Crown

Dental crowns

Dental crowns

Addressing any underlying dark tooth discoloration is crucial for achieving a natural-looking crown, and various techniques are available to accomplish this. Some dentists prefer to block out the dark color using a composite buildup material before placing the crown. In contrast, others instruct their lab technicians to incorporate an opaque layer within the crown itself.

Most widely used crown materials—including feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate, or zirconia—can be made opaque to effectively mask discoloration. With zirconia and lithium disilicate, the ceramist will layer these materials with feldspathic porcelain to achieve a natural appearance. Many expert cosmetic dentists achieve excellent results with e.max crowns, which have a strong lithium disilicate core overlaid with feldspathic porcelain.

How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist for Crown Matching

The most significant challenge in your situation will be finding a dentist and ceramist team capable of successfully masking the dark color of one front tooth while achieving a perfect match with the adjacent front tooth. Look for a dentist with postgraduate cosmetic dentistry training—preferably an accredited dentist. The dentist will determine which crowns are best for your front teeth and highly aesthetic outcome.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Read why so many patients view Dr. Brooksher as one of the best dentists in Baton Rouge.

 

Can Dentist’s Grinding on Your Crowns Ruin Them?

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Last October, my dentist placed crowns on my left first and second molar tooth. One of the crowns fell off, so my dentist cemented and ground it down to correct the bite. Within two weeks, the back side of the crown (closest to my tongue) broke. I think she was too aggressive with that grinding tool. Now, it feels weird when I chew on that side of my mouth. Am I going to need new crowns? Thank you. Jenn

Jenn,

Thanks for your inquiry.

Can Dentist’s Grinding on Your Crowns Ruin Them?

Dentists commonly adjust a new crown to your bite by grinding or filing it down. However, the dentist must check your bite in intervals to ensure that not too much—or too little—of the crown is adjusted. These are small adjustments. Your dentist will shape and smooth the crown to prevent it from feeling rough.

But we are concerned about several aspects of your experience.

  • Loose crowns—Permanent crowns should not loosen or fall off. Your dentist might have aggressively prepared your tooth or bonded the crown incorrectly.
  • Adjusting your bite—A dentist should adjust your bite and crown when placing it. It is not common to adjust the crown after re-cementing. Something went wrong, but your dentist must explain why she adjusted.
  • Broken crown – A crown should not break from conservative bonding.
  • Affecting your bite—The adjustments affect your bite, which can cause multiple issues that lead to TMJ symptoms.

Your dentist should compensate you. We recommend scheduling a second opinion appointment with a cosmetic dentist trained in occlusion and bite.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

How Can I Get a Refund for 4 Faulty Dental Crowns?

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I used CareCredit for dental work. I paid off the CareCredit bill, but the dentist isn’t finished with the work. I’ve decided to switch to another dentist to get my four new crowns to fit correctly because my dentist overprepared my teeth. Regardless of what he does, the crowns won’t stay on. I asked for a refund. I don’t want my current dentist to try to correct the issue or finish the remaining dental work I need. Whenever I call the office about the refund, they say the billing office is working on it. It’s been three months since my request. How can I get a refund? Thank you. Jaime T. from TX

 

Jaime,

Dental crowns before and after photos from Baton Rouge dentist Dr. BrooksherAfter CareCredit approves your application, the company pays the dental office for your treatment plan upfront and deducts processing fees. If your dental work is incomplete, the dentist must refund you.

How Can You Get a Refund from Your Dentist for Faulty Crowns?

You can get a refund from your dentist for faulty crowns with the following steps:

  1. Contact your dentist and request payment again. If they do not refund you, you can submit negative online reviews and report the issue to the state dental Board.
  2. If your dentist refuses to refund you, submit a negative review about your experience on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Two-thirds of people looking for a dentist read online reviews, and dentists know that and are sensitive to negative reviews.
  3. If a dental insurance company paid for any of your care, notify the insurance company. They will object to paying for faulty dental crowns.
  4. Contact the dental Board in your state. Although the dental Board cannot order your dentist to issue a refund, they may issue a warning or reprimand.

We hope your dentist will refund you without a hassle. We recommend finding an experienced cosmetic dentist with post-graduate occlusion and bite training. The dentist’s training will ensure you get crowns that fit and function well.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge-accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

 

My Dental Implant Crown Is Still the Wrong Color

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My dentist can’t get my implant crown color right. She corrected it twice but bonded it on before assuring a color match. Before I switch dentists, how can I get a refund? Thanks. Milan from IL

 

Milan,

Before switching dentists, search for dedicated cosmetic dentists who prioritize aesthetics and patient satisfaction.  They will ensure your implant crown seamlessly blends with your natural teeth.

How to Achieve the Correct Dental Crown Color

Skilled cosmetic dentists use a series of steps to color match a dental crown, including:

  • High-quality smile photography: They capture detailed photos of your smile, highlighting the desired color and characteristics.
  • Advanced shade matching: Utilizing a shade guide alongside your photos, they communicate precise color information to the dental ceramist.
  • Clear communication: They send the ceramist detailed notes regarding color and crown fabrication, minimizing any room for error.
  • Ask for your feedback: A dental ceramist will make your final crown only after you approve the temporary one. Also, a conscientious dentist will attach the implant crown only with your consent.
Model of a dental implant with the crown, abutment, and root form labeled

A dental implant mimics a natural tooth and does not need support from other teeth

Unfortunately, your situation likely requires a new crown. A skilled cosmetic dentist understands how to safely remove the existing crown without compromising your implant.

Who Should Pay for Your New Crown?

You entrusted your dentist with achieving a specific outcome – a well-fitting, color-matched implant crown.  Here’s how to approach your dentist professionally:

  • Seeking a Solution: Kindly request a refund from your dentist. Explain that you didn’t get what was promised—a crown that matches your surrounding teeth and fits well.
  • Gathering Evidence: If your dentist is unwilling to cooperate, get a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist. This consultation report will document any additional work needed for a successful outcome.
  • Mediation: Inform your former dentist that you intend to report the issue to the state dental board if a resolution isn’t reached. This should be a last resort, aiming for an amicable solution first.
  • Legal Consultation: Consult a medical malpractice attorney if further action is required.

Ideally, an ethical dentist would readily address the issue and provide you with a new, properly matched crown. We hope you won’t need to involve the state dental board or legal counsel.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.  Read about what he does to give patients the best dental care he can.