I love my dentist, but she can’t seem to get my crown to match my veneers. The crown is whiter than the veneers. Is this a challenging job that I should ask another dentist to complete, or should I let her keep trying? My dentist must sedate me every time she tries to get this right. And I am getting embarrassed because I can’t take a minor procedure without sedation. I just want this to be over. Thank you. Vivian
Vivian,
Many family dentists find it a challenge to match crowns and veneers. Some even have trouble matching crown color to natural teeth.
Porcelain is translucent like tooth enamel, so it looks natural. But porcelain crowns are several times thicker than porcelain veneers. If your teeth are dark, the color will show through more on porcelain veneers than with your crown.
A skilled cosmetic dentist and ceramist can achieve a match with the porcelain or by applying opaque to your teeth before sending your case to the lab.
Adding opaquers to porcelain
If your crown is translucent, your veneers must be opaqued to appear equally translucent. This technique requires skill and good communication between your dentist and the laboratory. Your dentist must take photos of your prepared teeth or record details about their color for the lab to produce accurate results. Dental laboratories that specialize in aesthetics can do this well.
Adding opaquers to your tooth
Your dentist can apply opaquers to your tooth and achieve a color match with these steps:
- Shave the dark teeth a little
- Apply an opaque layer of composite on each tooth
- Create a translucent effect with the porcelain
Sedation can decrease your time in the dental chair or help your dentist accomplish more work
The composite and porcelain veneer luting cement will bond chemically for a strong, natural-looking result.
We understand your concerns about anxiety and the need for sedation. But if you cannot relax during the procedure, it can interfere with the cosmetic dentist’s work and lengthen your time in the dental chair. Getting a second opinion from a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training is to your advantage. It can minimize the treatment time needed to match your crown and veneers.
Steven Brooksher, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery.
