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How many times can my dentist replace my implant crown?

How many times can my dentist replace my implant crown without causing implant failure? My dentist says that getting the color right on my implant crowns is challenging. She said that after changing the crowns twice, I should be happy that the implants are still stable. Am I at risk for dental implant failure? I am concerned about my investment and my health. Thanks for your help. Jael from Chicago

 

Jael

We are sorry that you are having this experience with your dentist. We will explain the process and how you can find a dentist to match your crowns correctly. However, Dr. Goebel would need to examine your implant crowns for accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

Removing Implant Crowns Safely

A skilled dentist knows which tools to use to remove an implant crown without damaging the implant and risking failure.

Matching Implant Crowns

Without advanced cosmetic dentistry training, matching implant crowns is a challenge. Therefore, your dentist is unable to achieve natural-looking results.

Even a skilled cosmetic dentist must patiently achieve a perfect match. But cosmetic dentists who understand color matching take these steps:

  • Try-in crowns at least three times to ensure a match
  • Draw a color map for the ceramist
  • Specify a basic shade in the written instructions
  • Draw areas where the ceramist should add tints to match your natural tooth color
  • Use high-quality, digital photographs to take pictures of the try-in
  • Look for areas that need color adjustment and send details to the ceramist
  • Avoid cementing the crown unless the color match is perfect
Diagram of three phases of a dental implant: separate compoonent, implant screw in the bone, and the crown attached
Implant crowns should match your natural teeth

A general or family dentist is unlikely to go beyond finding a close match. They are often satisfied with making your crown look acceptable next to your natural teeth.

Schedule a Consultation with a Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist will take time to ensure the variations of tooth color and translucence in your natural teeth are replicated in your implant crown. Look for at least two advanced cosmetic dentists in your area and schedule consultations.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, Illinois, sponsors this post.

Should my new overdentures hurt?

My dentist told me to expect some pain after getting implant overdentures, but it has been almost a week, and I am still in pain. I paid $36,000 for pain and now feel like I made a mistake. I had no teeth at all, but now I have a mouth full of teeth that hurt. Should I feel like this? Thank you. Les from Fort Wayne, IN

Les,

Thank you for your question.

It is normal to feel pain and discomfort after implant overdenture placement.

The implant overdenture process has several phases. Surgically placed dental implants affect your jawbone and gum tissue. Your body’s response to the surgery is inflammation and pain.

Do Implant Overdentures Hurt?

Diagram of a lower implant overdenture screwing onto dental implants
Implant overdenture

Implant overdenture surgery does not hurt because your implant dentist or oral surgeon numbs your gums and administers sedation to help you relax. What can you expect after surgery?

Implant Overdenture Recovery

Every patient’s case and pain tolerance differs, but in general, your recovery will be progressive.

  • Day of oral surgery – As you return home to recover, your pain medication will keep you comfortable. But surgically placed dental implants affect your jawbone and gum tissue. Your body’s response to the surgery is inflammation and pain. And you may experience mild bleeding around the surgical sites.
  • Two to three days – After oral surgery, swelling peaks in two to three days. You can place cold packs on your face to minimize the swelling for the first 36 hours. Afterward, apply moist heat for relief. And take pain medication on time as your oral surgeon directed to prevent pain from escalating.
  • Four to seven days – Soreness and tenderness will gradually improve.
  • One to three weeks – It takes time to adjust to wearing an immediate denture in your mouth. But over the next few weeks, you will adapt to speaking and eating with implant-supported dentures.
  • Four to six months – Your implants and jawbone should fuse and heal entirely within this time frame.

When Should You Be Concerned?

If pain, swelling, or bleeding after implant overdenture surgery increase or get worse after the healing timeline, notify your oral surgeon. Also, if you have symptoms that your surgeon did not discuss with you, call the office to ensure

 

Dr. Thomas J. Goebel, a family dentist in Moline, Illinois, sponsors this post. Dr. Goebel works closely with an oral surgeon or periodontist for implant surgery.

 

What is this weird sensation I feel with my new dental crown?

Brunette man holding the side of his face perhaps with a weird sensation in a dental crown or implantI have a new crown but feel a strange sensation in it. After I received the crown in mid-July, I returned to my dentist about the problem. My dentist said he could re-cement the crown or make a new one. I thought that it was better to choose a new crown. The new crown was ready in early August, but my bite still did not feel right. The tooth is not painful, but it feels strange. Am I going to need another new crown? I am beginning to wonder if this is an issue with the crown or if the crown preparation somehow damaged my tooth. Thanks for your help and advice. Darren from Idaho

Darren,

When a dentist places your crown correctly, it should feel like a healthy natural tooth. You not notice that you have a crown. Sometimes, even bite adjustments are not enough to resolve the discomfort because the problem lies beneath the crown.

Uncomfortable New Dental Crown

If discomfort in your crown lingers, get a second opinion, and ask for an x-ray. Sometimes, decay beneath a crown can cause lingering discomfort. If the problem tooth previously had root canal treatment, you would not feel pain or have a toothache. Your symptoms might be vague and difficult to describe.

What Causes Tooth Decay Beneath Crowns?

Tooth decay beneath a crown can occur in these instances:

  • Bacteria or plaque gets trapped beneath the crown
  • Root canal failure
  • Lingering decay or infection that a dentist covers with a crown

Depending on the condition of your tooth and how much tooth structure is left, the second opinion dentist may recommend

After retreatment, your tooth and bite should be comfortable.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.