Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

I have been waiting for decent crowns from my cosmetic dentist for 6 months. I got a temporary crown on July 12 of last year. 3 times a crown came in from the lab but it didn’t fit right. Both times the crown was shoving against the tooth behind it and the one in front of it. It was like the crown was too big. After the crown was removed the dental assistant took impressions of my mouth again. I have had 4 different impressions. My dentist told me not to worry because the temporary crown will hold up. How long am I going to have to wear this thing? Is it normal to take so long to get a crown to fit right? Is it too late to get out of the commitment with this dentist? Thanks. Ian

Ian – Although your dentist practices cosmetic dentistry, he or she might not be a skilled cosmetic dentist. A well-made and fitted temporary crown can last several months, but the force of chewing on an imbalanced crown can affect your bite. In most cases, a permanent crown is received and placed in about three weeks. When a temporary crown needs to worn for a prolonged period, some dentists replace it with a new temporary crown to ensure it doesn’t wear out and put your oral health in jeopardy. A misaligned bite can cause tooth, head, and neck pain.

Below are some things to consider:

• If four impressions of your teeth were taken, it is likely that the previous three impressions were not taken correctly. This raises concern about the ability to correctly fit your crown.
• We encourage you to speak frankly with your dentist about your concerns, and ask for his or her estimate on when you will receive your permanent crown.
• You can also consider receiving a second opinion from an experienced, accredited cosmetic dentist. Precise, digital images or impressions of your teeth will be taken to help produce a crown that fits correctly. With current technology, a skilled cosmetic dentist can accurately take impressions of your teeth. He or she will also work with a talented ceramist to give you beautiful crowns that fit well.

We hope that your issue is resolved soon and that you will be very pleased with the results.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

I have 8 crowns on my top front teeth that are 17 years old. I know that I am fortunate that they lasted so long, so no complaints here. One of the left canine crowns is lose. I am worried that it will come off. I saw my dentist and he said rather than replacing one crown he really needs to replace them all. I went into the office expecting to have the one tooth fixed, but not needing a new crown on every tooth. Do I really need to have all of the crowns replaced at the same time? Do they all need to be replaced anyway? Thank you. Anita

Anita – One lose crown doesn’t mean that all of your crowns need to be replaced. In general, it might be easier for a dentist to ensure the crowns match by replacing them all, but a skilled cosmetic dentist can perfectly match the replacement crown.

If you’ve had crowns for 17 years, it might be time to replace them. A cosmetic dentist will need to measure your crowns at the margin, their overall condition, and your bite to determine if they are wearing out. If any part of your natural teeth is exposed due to wear from the crowns, tooth decay can occur.

Another consideration is the color of your crowns. If they look worn, or if you want a brighter smile, eventually all of your crowns will need to be replaced. If you want a whiter smile and only replace one crown at a time, keep in mind that your new crowns will be noticeably whiter than the others.

It’s more affordable to receive crowns in phases, but the crowned teeth won’t match until all of the work is done.

Speak with your current dentist and with two accredited cosmetic dentists. An accredited cosmetic dentist has extensive post-graduate training in designing smiles that look completely natural.Let each dentist know your goals for your smile and find out how treatment can be made affordable for you. Remember that an examination is required to determine the condition of your crowns and teeth. Each dentist should let you know your options. Compare your options and decide which dentist you want to replace your crowns.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

I am trying to narrow down cosmetic dentists in my area who do a great job with dental crowns on front teeth. The issue is it needs to be done pretty much within 4 days. I will be on assignment overseas starting July 18. The only time I have for any dental work is 4 days. So I’ve found several cosmetic dentists online who look like they have good credentials. I know some specialists can do amazing job but they have to take their time and go slow. I only have 4 days, so how do I find out if the dentist can do the crowns quickly? Thanks Milton

Milton – Beautiful dental crowns require more than four days. A skilled cosmetic dentist works with a master ceramist to produce lifelike crowns in a lab. It is a challenge to provide natural-looking crowns for front teeth, and the process should not be rushed.

Your porcelain crowns should match the color and characteristics of your natural teeth. It takes time to manipulate the porcelain and create a perfect match. It may take a week or two to receive your custom crowns from the dental lab.

If you have an immediate need for restoring your teeth, speak with two or three cosmetic dentists to get a recommendation for a temporary restoration. A high-quality temporary crown can last many months. The condition of your teeth will determine what dental work should be done and when.

We recommend that you not rush the process. You may be able to find a cosmetic dentist to quickly provide you with dental crowns for your front teeth, but you when you see the results, you may regret it.

Have a consultation with two or three dentists, and discuss your options first. Ask to see before-and-after photos of each dentist’s work.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

My teeth are worn and discolored. I am going to make appointments with 2 different dentists to see what they recommend. I just need some direction before I see the dentists so I don’t get oversold or undersold. Should I go with one who recommends porcelain veneers or one who recommends porcelain crowns? Jon

Jon – A conservative, conscientious dentist will first examine your teeth to identify the cause of the wear and discoloration.

If the wear is caused by bruxism, or teeth grinding, that issue must be addressed first. Many patients who grind their teeth are not good candidates for porcelain veneers. The force on the teeth from grinding can fracture a veneer.

An experienced cosmetic dentist will recommend the most conservative treatment. If you do not grind your teeth, and if you have adequate healthy tooth structure, porcelain veneers are a more conservative treatment than porcelain crowns. Teeth are minimally prepared before the veneers are bonded to them. If preparation is required, only 0.5mm to 1mm of the enamel surface is removed. A disadvantage is that veneers cost more than crowns. Porcelain crowns require reducing the size of natural teeth so that crowns will fit over them. This is a process that reduces a significant amount of tooth structure, and it cannot be reversed.

It is possible that your smile can be rejuvenated with teeth whitening and dental composite. An artistic cosmetic dentist can manipulate composite to match the characteristics and translucence of your natural teeth. This is a minimally invasive treatment that will last for years if you take proper care of it. Some patients only require cosmetic contouring, which shapes the teeth to help them appear symmetrical and balanced.

When looking for dentists with whom you can have a consultation, we recommend that you find experienced cosmetic dentists who have artistic talent. A cosmetic dentist’s goal is to help you achieve a smile that is both healthy and beautiful. He or she may recommend one or more treatment options to help you achieve your goals for your smile. An examination and diagnostic studies are required to accurately inform you of your options.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Two weeks ago I mistakenly bit down on something hard that should not have been in the food I was eating. I was sure that my tooth was broken. My tongue was bleeding on that side of my mouth. I went to the dentist the next day. She took x-rays and said that everything looked fine. I took ibuprofen for several days and it felt a little better. This week my tooth started throbbing. I really think it is cracked. Should I go back to the dentist? – Rob

Rob – At times, when I tooth is first traumatized, the damage doesn’t immediately show up on an x-ray. You should make an appointment with your dentist to have your tooth examined again.

If you are getting an infection in the tooth, it will require a root canal treatment and a porcelain crown to prevent it from breaking. The nerve in the tooth will eventually die, blood will no longer flow to the tooth, and it will become weak. The crown protects the tooth.

If the root of the tooth is fractured, the tooth cannot be saved. It will need to be replaced with a dental implant or a dental bridge.

See your dentist to get an accurate diagnosis and to find out your treatment options.

This post is courtesy of Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.