Last Christmas, while I was out of town, a piece of composite bonding chipped off a tooth. My regular dentist had just retired, so I found a new dentist. She recommended veneers, but after seeing my fillings, she said I needed crowns instead.
I trusted her recommendation because I didn’t know enough about the procedure to question it. I ended up with six porcelain crowns across my front teeth. Unfortunately, I don’t like the results. My two front crowns look gray, especially in photos, and they don’t match the other four. What are my options for correcting this? My crowns don’t look good in person, but they look awful in pictures. I don’t smile as much. Thanks. Sunni
Sunni,
We understand your concern. No doubt, the gray crowns make you self-conscious about smiling for pictures. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to change the color of porcelain crowns after they are permanently cemented. If the color difference is significant, the two front crowns will most likely need to be remade.
Can Just the Two Front Crowns Be Replaced?
Yes, it may be possible to replace only the two front crowns if the other four look good and you are happy with them. However, matching new crowns to existing porcelain requires careful shade selection and communication between the dentist and dental laboratory.
Before proceeding, a skilled cosmetic dentist will determine why the crowns appear gray. The underlying teeth may affect the color, or the porcelain may lack the right opacity, shade, or other characteristics to blend with the surrounding crowns.
What Should Happen Before Your New Crowns Are Cemented?
You should be able to see and approve the new crowns in your mouth before they are permanently attached. This step is particularly essential when replacing highly visible front teeth.
The try-in should allow you to evaluate:
- Whether the two crowns match the surrounding teeth
- Whether they still appear gray under different lighting
- Their shape, size, and position
- Whether you are comfortable with your smile
A clear try-in paste can help give a cosmetic dentist a more accurate impression of the final crowns’ appearance because porcelain may transmit color from the tooth underneath. A clear water-soluble gel may also be useful when appropriate. Without a clear medium between the tooth and crown, the color during the try-in may not accurately represent how the restoration will look after final cementation.
Consider Getting a Second Opinion
A second opinion from a dentist with extensive cosmetic dentistry experience would be reasonable. Matching front crowns can require considerable attention to color, translucency, opacity, and the underlying tooth shade.
You have already invested a lot of time and money in your dental crowns. Before having more work done, make sure the dentist has a clear plan to correct the gray appearance and give you time to evaluate the crowns before permanent placement.
Brian LeSage, DDS, an accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, sponsors this post. Read why his patients say he is the best cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills.
Smile makeover photos from the smile gallery of Beverly Hills accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry Brian LeSage.