Dentist Can’t Get My Implant Crown to Match My Teeth

Question submitted by Claudia:

My front tooth has a dental crown put on it. At first I had a dental flipper while everything healed up. It didn’t match perfectly but it was close. Though, I am wanting a permanent replacement. The problem I am running into is that the dental crown my dentist keeps preparing does not match even a little. He’s replaced it twice and neither was any better. He thinks I am being too picky. The problem is that my teeth are between the shades a1 and a2. My dentist has warned me that if I keep having him replace it that I will lose my dental implant. So, here is my dilemma. Do I go with the dental flipper that matches closely, but is not permanent or get a permanent replacement with the crown that doesn’t match? I’m leaning toward the flipper, but am facing a great deal of disappointment in living with a temporary tooth after going through the surgery. This may be a desperate attempt, but is there any chance I could get it to match? Will doing so cause me to lose the implant from messing with it too much?

Claudia

Dear Claudia,

When dental implants are properly placed, replacing the porcelain crown will do them no harm. Though, he would have made the whole process easier by using temporary try-in paste. That would allow you to see if they match without having to bond them in. Next, I am going to say that you are not being too picky. The fact that you were content with the look of the dental flipper tells me that. The truth is your teeth are not the problem. This is not going to be the best dentist for you to get a beautiful result. With the a1 and a2, he is referring to the standard shade guide. These are fine if you are just dealing with putting a dental crown on the back tooth, but as you are dealing with a front tooth, you will need an expert cosmetic dentist who knows how to use color theory including the cremes and stains to get a perfect match with your front tooth. This can be done.

Your first step is to have the dental implant looked at to make sure it is sound. If it is, then I suggest you ask your dentist for a refund on the dental crown. Then you can go to another, skilled cosmetic dentist to finish off the dental crown. You’ll want to make sure that they also have training in dental implants in order to ensure that treatment stays on course. If, on the other hand, the dental implant is not properly placed, then I would get a refund on all of it and start over. Though, you will need some bone grafting done in order to build back up the bone lost in the removal of the implant. Hopefully it will not come to that.

This blog is brought to you by Tucson Prosthodontist Dr. Howard Steinberg.