I think I would have been better off not getting any cosmetic dentistry.

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When I was a teenager, I had four porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns done on my front teeth. They have been on for over 20 years. I decided I wanted to freshen up my smile, so I went to a cosmetic dentist in my hometown. Well, that was a big mistake! The guy ended up doing Kör whitening on my teeth, which ended up terrible.

So, I went to another cosmetic dentist and he refused to redo only the four crowns. He gave me this huge sales pitch and spiel about how I needed to do eight because I wouldn’t be happy in the end. I got cold feet when he did the wax model, which was over $800.

Next, I saw another cosmetic dentist that would do the four crowns for me. But, they are super short and honestly the color looks green. He passed me off to his assistant and said she would do better with the color. We all know how this ends. I still have short, strangely colored crowns. I guess I’ve probably gotten used to them and wish I would have just left them alone in the first place. How can someone call themselves a cosmetic dentist and deliver these terrible results! His response was that I shouldn’t be comparing myself to some celebrity I saw on the internet. Basically, his opinion was that it’s an unrealistic expectation to have perfect teeth.

At this point, my husband will freak out if I try to get them fixed. I guess I just needed to get it off my chest.

-Shannon in Texas

Shannon,

Unfortunately, even if a dentist claims to be a cosmetic dentist, it is not a regulated area within dentistry. This means any dentist can make that claim. It is sad. Because you can get a “perfect” smile when you see an expert cosmetic dentist. When you find the right cosmetic dentist, it is like an artist and their masterpiece. A beautiful smile can be a reality. However, it sounds like it would take a lot of convincing for you at this point since you’ve invested so much time and money. The fact is that beautiful cosmetic dentistry can be expensive. But, when it is done right, it can be life-changing.

woman smiling at the dentist after an examAlso, you should have never had Kör bleaching done. Most dentists know that crowns do not whiten. So, if he did it regardless, that is very poor form. That would pretty much back you into a corner to have the crowns redone. It was good you left that dentist.

Then, the dentist that tried to get you to do eight instead of four crowns, maybe a high-end practice. Sometimes, they know what the ideal result is and will not move forward with anything else. It may be true that eight crowns may have delivered a flawless result. But, if that plan wasn’t in your budget, he should have compromised or offered you a phased treatment plan.

Thank you for sharing your story. It continues to reinforce the fact that not every dentist that says they do cosmetic dentistry really can. And it’s a great reminder for anyone considering it to do their homework. Get multiple opinions, ask to see their portfolio of work and look into their credentials.

This post is sponsored by Hamburg Expressions, a Lexington cosmetic dentist.

Unhappy with my cosmetic dentistry! What do I do?

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Is there a cosmetic dentistry solution that will actually work for me? Here’s the scoop. I have had four porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on my front teeth for over five years. They were beginning to look old and dingy. So, I decided I wanted to whiten my smile, so my dentist recommended Kör whitening. Well, this was a bad idea. It made my crowns look terrible.

Then, I went to another dentist that said he could fix it, but the price tag was ridiculous. I don’t know what to do or how I’m going to get them fixed. My crowns are too short and the color looks terrible after the whitening.

-Diana in California

Diana,

As you have learned, Kör whitening is a deep bleaching method that gives phenomenal results. However, it is only successful on natural tooth material. It will not lighten porcelain. So, the porcelain on the crowns didn’t change color at all. That is why they look so bad. Unfortunately, it sounds like the dentist you went to wasn’t very experienced with cosmetic dentistry.

Instead of paying a less expensive amount for Kör whitening, which wasn’t the correct treatment option, you would have been better off doing nothing and saving up to have the porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns replaced with all-porcelain crowns.

Most excellent cosmetic dentists will only do all-porcelain crowns on front teeth. Since, as you know, over time the gums recede and the metal framework becomes visible. This leaves you with a dark, grey line at the gumline.

woman hugging man, both smilingIt’s not too late to get a beautiful smile. You just need to be more selective when you are choosing a cosmetic dentist. Learn more about their credentials, ask to see before and after photos of similar cases and find out how often they are doing this kind of high-profile cosmetic dentistry. These teeth are very visible when you talk or smile. You need to find the best cosmetic dentist in your area and schedule a consultation. Many times they will work with you on payments, by splitting the cost into phases. Or it is possible you could take advantage of a low or no interest financing plan.

Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

I don’t want crowns! Will porcelain veneers work?

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I have been looking forward to getting porcelain veneers, since my last dentist appointment. Even though my dentist said he found a couple little cavities, he said I could still get them since some of the tooth is removed anyway. He said if the cavities ended up being deeper than he thought, he would fill them a little bit. But, he said I was still a candidate for porcelain veneers.

Shortly after that appointment, we had to move out-of-state for work. Now, I’m seeing a new cosmetic dentist. He is telling me that porcelain veneers are not an option. So, he wants me to get crowns done. This new dentist says the teeth have too much decay. Also, he wants me to get crowns with a metal framework to help with strength. I don’t want crowns and I don’t want metal in my mouth. It doesn’t seem possible that the cavities would have progressed so much that I cannot get porcelain veneers. Do you think I should get another opinion?

-Sheila in Kentucky

Tooth decay is a tricky thing. It can progress very quickly and sometimes it is much worse than the x-rays show. There are no guidelines for how quickly it advances. For example, it may destroy one tooth rapidly and not progress at all on the one next to it.

Therefore, it is a judgement call by the dentist. Some dentists take a less invasive approach and recommend minimal treatment. Others will be more proactive and treat the problem now, so more work isn’t required in the future. It would be a bummer to get porcelain veneers now and have to get them replaced with crowns after a short time.

Although, there are a couple things that don’t add up. Typically, an excellent cosmetic dentist will not recommend porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, especially on the front teeth. This is mainly because it is very challenging to make porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns look beautiful. This type of crown will inevitably end up with a gray line at the gum, when the gums recede over time. Most dentists agree that the use of metal in crowns is much better suited for back teeth.

It’s probably a good idea to get a second opinion from another reputable cosmetic dentist. Unfortunately, based on what you have described, I cannot recommend you get porcelain veneers over crowns.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

 

Can I replace metal crowns with porcelain veneers?

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I have a couple porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Over the years, I feel like their appearance has gotten worse. I think the metal is starting to show. It is becoming more noticeable and I think others will start to notice. I heard porcelain veneers are metal-free. Can I get my crowns replaced with them? When I mentioned it to my dentist, he said he could re-do the metal crowns again. He said they are much stronger. Do I have other options? Won’t the same thing happen eventually if I get he same kind of crowns again?

-Lily in Kansas

Lily,

Sorry to tell you that porcelain veneers are not an option to replace your porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Once a tooth has been prepared for a crown, there isn’t much natural tooth structure that remains. A porcelain veneer fits to the front surface of the tooth. A crown goes all around the tooth. If the crowns were removed, veneers would leave the back and sides of your natural tooth completely vulnerable and exposed.

Since the metal is showing and you are unhappy with the appearance of the crowns, it is surprising that your dentist isn’t considering an all-porcelain crowns. Traditionally, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have been known to be the strongest solution, but now with the dental bonding technologies and techniques available today, all-porcelain crowns have proven to hold up even on back teeth. So it is possible that your dentist simply isn’t experienced or comfortable in using porcelain. If that is the case, it is important that you do not push him out of his comfort zone. Or you may be sadly disappointed with the work. The other thing could be that your dentist may have noticed signs of clenching or grinding. In that case, metal-based crowns probably do make the most sense.

It is also important to realize that no dental restoration will last forever. So, if you get the metal crowns again, your gums will recede over the years. So the metal will be visible again. When this occurs, the crowns need to be replaced so there is not risk of the tooth below the crown becoming decayed.

You may be interested in meeting with a cosmetic dentist to see if you can find some more aesthetically-based options.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

 

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