Same Day Crowns on Front Teeth
I broke a front tooth and was hoping to get one of those same day CEREC crowns. My dentist said that it is a bad idea and wants me to do a traditional crown. Should I get a referral to a dentist who would do the CEREC crown for me or stick with the traditional?
Emily
Dear Emily,
CEREC crowns are wonderful ways to get a dental crown in just one appointment. However, I would not recommend them for a front tooth. Teeth have a variety of opacities throughout their structure. Parts of them will be more translucent. Same day crowns are milled from a single block of porcelain, which means the crown will be uniform throughout. When dealing with a tooth that is not on a front tooth, it will look fine. However, front teeth are a different story. They are exposed directly to the light, which means it will be obvious you have a single block of porcelain.
If you instead had it done with a traditional porcelain crown, the ceramist could use a variety of porcelains which would mimic the variety of the tooth structure. Even then, your dentist will likely have to do several try ins before he gets it to match the adjacent teeth. This would be a normal procedure for front teeth. Make sure your dentist uses a temporary try-in paste and will redo the porcelain crown until it matches perfectly.
It sounds to me that your dentist is trying to protect you from a disappointing result. I’d go with his recommendation.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
CEREC Crown Feels Weird
I had a dental crown placed on an upper molar a few years ago that broke. I wanted if fixed quickly, so I went to a nearby dentist who did CEREC crowns. When the crown was done it felt very uncomfortable, almost like I had an oversized marble in that spot. My dentist said I should just give it time, but I didn’t remember the original crown feeling like this bulky. I started biting my tongue in my sleep and decided I have to go back. She did see that it was a bit bulky at that point and started to grind it down a bit. It still feels big after that and my tongue is still being bitten in my sleep. I don’t know what to do at this point. I thought that CEREC crowns were supposed to be good, but maybe I need the regular kind?
Connie
Dear Connie,
I am sorry you’ve ended up with two bad dentists in a row. First, your original crown should have lasted more than just a few years. Then, you end up with a dentist who does not understand either crowns or how to work the CEREC software. I don’t understand how she didn’t realize the crown was too bulky until you had to go back and point it out.
CEREC crows are generally more accurate because the dentist will scan the original tooth and and then the software can build up the crown based on the shape of the scan. In your case, she did not have the scan, but it is not hard to work the software to guide it in a way that it would build up the crown properly. She obviously did not know how to do that.
Her comment that you just need to “give it time” is very telling. When a crown is properly designed, you will not notice it at all. It will feel just like a healthy natural tooth. She should have known that too.
In your place, I would not trust her to get this right with the CEREC machine. It sounds like she is just now learning how to use the software. As much as you wanted to get this done fast, your best shot to get this fixed at this point is to either get a refund and go to a different dentist who does CEREC crowns or have this dentist do a traditional crown.
She absolutely should not leave it like this because not only can an improperly done crown can lead to TMJ disorder and biting your lip or tongue can lead to tumors. She needs to make this right one way or another.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
Should I Give Up Holistic Care for Competence?
I am a bit frustrated. I feel like I am left to choose between getting the holistic care I want and competence in that care. We only have one holistic dentist in our town. I wanted to replace two things. First, a metal based crown for an all-porcelain one. Second, a mercury-filled filling for a composite one. My previous dentist didn’t believe that they needed exchanging. So, I found the holistic one and she was willing. Unfortunately, she used this new machine called a CEREC to make my crown while I waited. The crown I had before, though metal based, was comfortable and fit well. The one she made hurt and was too big for the area. I went back and she sanded it down to try to get it to fit the area. This changed the rest of my bite somehow and everything is off. She’s now telling me my problem is I need rothodontics. That would cost $6000…all for a crown not placed properly. I don’t know what to do.
Daria
Dear Daria,
I’m sorry this happened to you. First, let’s talk about your options. Holistic dentistry isn’t a specialty. It is a philosophy of care, which entails considering your whole body during treatment and not just your teeth. They are more likely to work around metal sensitivities that you have and will know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. There are plenty of dentists who will adhere to this type of treatment without offically calling themselves a holistic dentist. If you do an internet serach for a mercury-free dentist or a metal-free dentist, you can probably find someone with that same philosophy. You are not stuck with the one declared holistic dentist in your area.
As for your dental crown, it sounds to me like your dentist didn’t not know how to use the CEREC machine. When the right information is input into the program, you actually end up with better fitting crowns because they are precicely milled by a computer. It sounds to me like what you were dealing with is a dental competence issue more than a CEREC issue.
If your bite wasn’t off before the dental crown but is after, that means she did something wrong. I would ask for x-rays from before your procedure and after, then take them to another dentist to look over. At the very least, you should get a refund for the crown. However, if she’s thrown off your bite than the repairs could be expensive. In that case, she bears some of the responsibility in covering that expense.
This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.
My dental crowns and bonding don’t match
I needed two old crowns replaced and some repairs for chips on three front teeth. My dentist placed CEREC crowns are on my left first and second molars. I’ve had this dentist for four years, but he never did any major work on my teeth. The crowns look great. But he placed the dental bonding three weeks ago, and it is the wrong color. And I am not sure how it happened, but my left front tooth is longer than the right one now, and the color on my incisors and canine teeth do not match the crowns.
I complained to my dentist about the color and the long tooth. At first, he told me to give it a week. When I went back to the office, he said that he would see what he can do. I scheduled an appointment for last week, but I canceled it because I am afraid that he will make my teeth look worse.
I chose this dentist because he is calm, and I have dental anxiety. But I can tell you that I am getting anxious about my teeth. My dentist does not sound confident that he can correct the bonding. If he can’t get the bonding right on the next try, will it hurt my teeth for another dentist to remove and replace the bonding? Thank you. Tiera from KS
Tiera,
Thank you for your question.
Dentists complete dental bonding by hand. Bonding is an artistic procedure with each tooth as the canvas. As an artist, a dentist must select and manipulate dental composite for the right color, texture, and translucence to match your surrounding teeth. A small number of dentists have artistic talent and advanced training to produces results that look like a natural tooth. Unfortunately, your description sounds like your dentist lacks the experience, creative talent, and training to achieve your desired results.
Cosmetic Dentists Are Persistent
Artistic cosmetic dentists take their art personally. They will not settle on a smile that looks okay. They listen to you and will not complete your case until you are happy with the results. Your dentist’s comments reflect that you can adjust to the way your teeth look or he will try again. But what if you do not like the results?
Can a Dentist Remove and Replace Dental Bonding?
An advanced cosmetic dentist can remove and replace dental bonding on your teeth. And a cosmetic dentist has the required tools to remove the bonding only without damaging your teeth. But if you think you might need to have another dentist redo the bonding, why not schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist? The dentist will examine your teeth and bonding and explain what they will do to ensure a perfect match with your CEREC crowns and surrounding teeth.
Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Moline, IL sponsors this post.
New crown fell off 4 times, and my dentist charged me for it
My dentist removed a large silver filling from a top left molar and put a crown over the tooth. My temporary crown came off three times within the almost three weeks that I wore it. Of course, my dentist reattached it each time. I received the permanent crown in mid-January, and I have returned to the dentist four times to bond it back on.
The color of the crown is off too, but my dentist said that it would cost $385 to correct it. I decided not to argue with him about the color. But I wonder if he is treating me fairly. Isn’t he responsible for the crown color?
Two weeks ago, the crown came off, and my dentist said he would order a new crown. The lady in the billing department said they would try to return the crown as defective so that I will not be charged for it. I politely but firmly told her that I am not paying for a crown that does not fit and is the wrong color.
Last Thursday was my appointment for a new crown, my dentist drilled on the tooth and said he was reshaping it, inserting posts, and making new molds, so there was no new crown for that appointment, and I have to wait. When I was checking out, the billing rep told me that I owed money because my insurance would not cover the crown. The cost is $385, which my dentist initially said he would charge to correct the crown color.
I paid for the crown with a credit card because I hope there is a way to cancel the whole thing and get my money back. They tricked me, and I feel that I allowed it to happen. But I have no plans to return to the dentist. Can I stop this process and somehow get a refund? – Micah from Indiana
Micah,
What an experience you’ve had with your dentist! It’s among the worst we have heard this year. Your dentist’s policy to charge you so that he can correct his mistakes is unethical.
When Your Dental Crown Is the Wrong Color
If your dental crown is the wrong color, your dentist has not met his or her service agreement. You expect a crown that fits well, is in harmony with your bite, and matches your natural teeth. And it is your right as a consumer to receive what you paid for. It is the same with any major purchase. If you bought a new refrigerator with an ice maker, you expect all components to work. If the ice maker is defective, the seller will not charge you an extra fee for a new refrigerator with an ice maker that works. Please do not settle on faulty dental work.
When Your Dental Crown Keeps Falling Off
When your dental crown keeps falling off, either your dentist prepared it so aggressively that it will not stay on, or your dentist did not build up the tooth enough to retain the crown. It seems that your dentist used posts to help stabilize your crown and build up the tooth with composite. If your dentist cannot secure your crown, it is time to get a second opinion.
How to Deal with a Dishonest Dentist
If your dentist is dishonest and you already paid for the service, there are several things you can do:
- Dispute credit card payment – If you paid with a credit card, contact your credit card company and dispute the charge.
- Find another dentist – Look for a cosmetic dentist. Although cosmetic dentistry is not a specialty, look at dentists’ websites and check their bios for post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Your new cosmetic dentist might be willing to help you get a refund.
- If your dentist does not refund you – Explain to your dentist that you agreed to a crown that fits well and matches your tooth. It is the standard of care that every dentist must meet. Also, tell your dentist that you are ready to report the issue to the state dental board. And complain to your dental insurance company and let them know your dentist is overcharging and submitting claims to them. You can also feel free to submit negative online reviews on your dentist’s Yelp, Google My Business, or Facebook pages.
We hope your dentist will cooperate and that you can quickly find a cosmetic dentist who restores your teeth with crowns that fit well and match your natural teeth. You may find a dentist with in-office, CAD/CAM technology to restore your teeth in one visit.
Best wishes.
Timothy J. Goebel, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Moline, IL, sponsors this post.