Dentist Said I Can’t Get the Color I Want on My Crowns
About a decade or so ago, I had ten crowns placed on my upper teeth. My goal was to have a white smile. They talked me into a shade that wasn’t as white as I wanted, saying I should want them to look natural. I’ve never been happy with them. I made the decision a few weeks ago to replace them with whiter ones but the dentist now says because I have posts in them the best he can do is B1 or the posts will show. That’s not as white as I was hoping. Is there any way for me to get white crowns?
Emily
Dear Emily,
I cringed when I read your story, not because of anything you’ve done, but because of the misdirected and unethical care you’ve received. In fact, this is going in my cosmetic dentistry horror stories file. I’m going to recommend you switch dentists—for several reasons.
First, you said you wanted a white smile. Do you know what is a great, inexpensive procedure to get your teeth white? Teeth whitening. It gives you a whiter smile without being invasive or damaging any tooth structure. So why did he tell you to get ten dental crowns instead? I can only think for two reasons.
The first is incompetence. Maybe he doesn’t keep up with his field. Though, honestly, I can’t imagine a dentist not knowing about teeth whitening. The second is unethical greed. Teeth whitening will bring in a few hundred dollars. Crowns bring in thousands. Now, maybe your teeth already needed crowns, but you didn’t mention that, so I’m assuming your teeth were healthy.
On the off-chance they weren’t and you actually needed crowns, I’d still recommend a different dentist. When you told him you wanted white crowns, he told you want you “should” want. Garbage. Any true cosmetic dentists knows that it is all about the smile the patient wants. The best cosmetic dentists work with you to create the smile of your dreams. They don’t tell you what your dreams should be.
A third reason for switching dentists is this whole “your posts will show” excuse. Your dentist is mixing up color and translucency, which tells me he doesn’t have any real cosmetic dentistry training. Making your teeth (or your crowns) whiter does not make them more translucent. If the posts won’t show in B1, then they won’t show in a super white shade, like BL1.
I would like you to see an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the world with proven skills and artistry because they’ve passed the examinations and case study submissions with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. It will be even better if you can find someone who is a fellow with them (FAACD) because they are at the top of that elite group.
I’m sorry this happened to you. Find the right dentist and you’ll get a stunning smile that is as white as you want.
This blog is brought to you by a compassionate cosmetic dentist in Cincinnati, Dr. Fred Peck.