I had a smile makeover that included eight new crowns. Although I received the crowns in 2017, now my central incisor and the one to its right are irritated. And there is some bleeding between the teeth. I am concerned that the crowns contain some metal irritating my gums, so I asked for a copy of the alloy certificate for the crowns. I didn’t get that, but I have some documentation that I do not understand. It says that GC LiSi Impress is the crown type. How can I tell what these crowns are made of? Could I be allergic to them? Thank you. Catalina from Arkansas
Catalina,
Based on your description, your crowns are GC LiSi Press. The material is high-density lithium disilicate. The crowns are metal free, so your dentist could not give you a metal alloy certificate for them. We are not aware of reports of allergic reactions to the crowns.
Is an Allergic Reaction Causing Bleeding Between Your Crowns?
If you were allergic to your crowns, you would have inflammation between all of them. Your description sounds like a functional problem with your crowns. Some issues that might cause bleeding between your crowns include:
- Food particles lodged between the crowns
- Crown margins overhang the tooth edge
- Crown shape that traps food
As you floss between the crowns, pay attention to whether a ledge beneath your gum catches the floss. If it does, your dentist must correct the crown margin. When a crown margin extends beyond the tooth, it can result in inflammation and gum disease. And bleeding between teeth is an early sign of gum disease.
If your dentist cannot identify and resolve the issue, we recommend scheduling an appointment with an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Be prepared to receive an examination and possibly an x-ray to identify the issue and restore the health of your smile makeover.
A healthy smile makeover from Dr. Brooksher
Steven Brooksher, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will help you determine what to look for in a cosmetic dentist in your area.
