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Suite 300, Moline, IL 61265
(309) 277-3480
Beautiful Smile Makeovers, Advanced General Dentistry
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Which Implant and Crown Brands Should I Ask My Dentist to Use?

I am searching for a cosmetic dentist because I need extensive work done. So far, I have had two consultations. One dentist recommended ten implants for upper teeth. The other dentist wants to do a CT scan before defining her treatment plan. I have a few questions about some of the research I have done.

  1. Are Astra implants from the UK a quality brand?
  2. Is there anything a top cosmetic dentist can do to give Cercon® smart zirconia crowns a more natural look? I have read that they are as strong as PFM (porcelain fused to metal) crowns.
  3. Is it true that white or gold metal is a good foundation for a crown and will not make my gum line dark?
  4. What looks better, zirconium or white abutments for dental implants?

Thanks for your help. I cannot seem to find the answers to those four questions. If the solutions are online, maybe I do not understand the technical terminology.

Thanks. Roman from Seattle

Roman,

Our recommendation for any cosmetic dentistry patient is to focus on the dental artist instead of the dental materials. If you try to decide what is best for your smile, you will be directing your dentist. And that is not the right approach. Try to put yourself in the dentist’s position.

Reasons Not to Dictate to Your Cosmetic Dentist

Suppose you are an artist contracted to paint original works for a high-end corporate building. You consult with the building manager, who is not an artist, to find out what type of paintings she would like in the hallways. She gives you the information you need about the type of artwork to create, but she also gives you the following list:

  • Types, brands, and sizes of brushes
  • Paint brands and where to buy them
  • Which stool to use as you paint the pictures
  • The exact color palette for each painting

Although your signature will be on the paintings, the building manager’s list might negatively influence the results. Her micromanagement disregards your artistic talent and choice of materials, some of which are brands you prefer not to use. Her preferences make you uncomfortable.

An advanced cosmetic dentist is an artist with extensive training and experience in aesthetic dentistry. They know the factors that influence the health and beauty of your smile, including:

  1. Materials – Knowledge of the pros and cons of dental materials, their mechanics, and if they will work for your case
  2. Manufacturers – Ability to evaluate their claims about dental materials, products, and devices, and confirm that research supports the claims
  3. Clinical use – Understanding how materials, tools, or parts will function in an actual patient case
  4. Technique – Ability to predict how an element or component will work in the dentist’s hands based on their skill and experience

Which Metal-Based Crowns Will Not Show Through Your Gumline?

Neither porcelain-fused-to-white-metal nor porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns will prevent a dark line at the gumline. Consider a few facts:

  • The color of every metal used in porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown is either white or gold.
  • A dark line at the gumline is the cement line.
  • When cosmetic dentists combine bonding techniques with pure ceramic—not metal color—it eliminates darkness at the gumline.
  • Another method to minimize the dark line is for the dental ceramist to cut back the metal at the margin and replace it with porcelain.

Zirconium

Dental implant complete with a crown and an unattached crown to the left of it
You will get natural-looking implant crowns from a cosmetic dentist

Zirconium oxide is an opaque white, but a ceramist can cover it with a translucent ceramic. You will have an extraordinarily strong crown that looks natural.

Choose an accredited cosmetic dentist who is experienced in implant dentistry, too. They will consider your case and choose high-quality materials that function well and look natural.

 

Dr. Thomas Goebel, a Moline, Illinois dentist, sponsors this post.

My Replacement Porcelain Veneer Does Match the Others

I relocated in May of last year. I was due for a six-month cleaning in July, but I did not find a dentist due to the pandemic. I have eight porcelain veneers, and one of them broke last month. Unfortunately, I had to find a dentist quickly to replace the veneer. Now that I think about it, I should have called my former dentist for advice. When this new dentist got the veneer back from the lab, it was too light. He returned the veneer, and the lab tech baked a glazed on it to make it darker. The dentist removed some glaze to match the shade of my shade other veneers. We both thought it was okay, but now I see that the veneer is still a little too dark. And the veneer is not as shiny as the others. This experience is making me nervous because I do not know this dentist well. I just found him online because my veneer broke. Is it too late to lighten the veneer? Thank you. – Trevor

Trevor,

Thank you for your inquiry.

We understand that you chose a dentist because your porcelain veneer broke. And a broken veneer is a good reason to see a dentist right away. Unfortunately, it sounds like you found a dentist with limited training in dental aesthetics.

Replacing one veneer, manipulating the color, and matching it to existing veneers is tricky and requires special training. If the dentist you chose lacks experience in cosmetic dentistry, it may be challenging for him to match the shade.

How to Match a Veneer to Other Teeth

Although it is possible to polish off some tint to try to match other veneers, your new dentist’s technique was risky. Many advanced cosmetic dentists would send a photograph of your teeth to the lab tech to see the discrepancy in color, along with a detailed description of what needs to change. Sometimes it takes two or three try-ins to get the color right, but a skilled dentist will not bond the veneer unless it is a perfect match. And if a cosmetic dentist needs to manipulate veneer tint, they adjust tints beneath the veneer, not tint on the surface.

It sounds like your dentist is not familiar with the tinting process or does not stock tints to apply beneath a veneer. If your dentist continues to repeat the process, it could disturb the tint and further change the color.

Returning the Gloss to Your Porcelain Veneer

Your dentist can use diamond polishing wheels and polishing pastes to return the gloss to the porcelain. Expert cosmetic dentists usually have these items. If your current dentist must order the supplies, he may not have experience using them.

Improving the Shade of Your Veneer

The tip of dental forceps hold a porcelain veneer
A skilled cosmetic dentist can match a veneer to other teeth

A dentist achieves color match with proper lighting. Although your veneer might have appeared to match under artificial light in the dental office, you can see the color difference when you go outdoors in the sunlight. Expert cosmetic dentists check shade next to a window or use color-correct lighting in their office.

You can give this dentist another chance to color match the veneer, or you can find a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training and years of experience. We recommend that you at least get a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

 

Dr. Thomas Goebel, a Moline, Illinois dentist, sponsors this post.

 

My New Porcelain Veneers Are Too Short

Last week my dentist completed a crown and six porcelain veneers. I wore temporary veneers for several weeks and decided to get the work done finally. The temporary veneers were too long, so I asked for the final veneers to be slightly shorter. My dentist let me look at the veneers before he cemented them on, but I didn’t get a good look at them. My teeth are too short, and one incisor is smaller than the other. I know I won’t be happy unless the veneers are redone. Is it a big deal to lengthen porcelain veneers, or will a dentist need to replace them?  Thanks. Irina from IN

Irina,

Thank you for choosing our office for your question.

The only way to make your porcelain veneers longer is to replace them. And it is a big deal for your dentist. But if you aren’t happy with the results, you should ask your dentist to replace them.

Most people get porcelain veneers because they want a beautiful smile. You paid for a new smile, and an experienced cosmetic dentist feels obligated to deliver it. Porcelain veneers cost thousands of dollars—and you should love them. Although your incisors should be similar in size and shape, they don’t have to be identical for them to look natural.

The Difference an Expert Cosmetic Dentist Makes

The tip of dental forceps hold a porcelain veneer
A skilled cosmetic dentist can replace too short veneers

You mentioned that you briefly looked at your veneers—not long enough to notice that they are too short and that an incisor is too small. Although your dentist might practice cosmetic dentistry, an expert cosmetic dentist lets you examine your veneers before bonding them to your teeth. If you choose your current dentist for replacing your porcelain veneers, insist that he bonds them on after you’re delighted with your smile.

Reasons to get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist:

  • Legally—and according to the dental society—if a dentist restores your teeth and the work is functional, they have met the standard of care, even if you don’t like your smile.
  • If your dentist doesn’t want to replace your veneers, you don’t have legal leverage to insist he does so.
  • Be respectful and persuasive if you decide to keep the same dentist. But if you want a smile without disappointment, look for an advanced cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Thomas J. Goebel, a Moline, Illinois cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.