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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Can I Get Oversized Dental Crowns Replaced with Veneers?

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My new dentist replaced four old crowns on my front teeth in June, but they were too thick and too big. She redid the crowns, but they were still oversized and uncomfortable. The crowns make my lips protrude. Although my dentist says she is willing to try again, I’m done and want to switch dentists. Can I get the oversized crowns replaced with veneers? Thank you. Darlene from Mobile, AL

Darlene,

Thank you for your question. We understand your frustration. Dr. Szarek would need to examine your crowns to determine when they are so bulky, but we will answer your question about switching from dental crowns to veneers.

Can You Replace Oversized Dental Crowns with Veneers?

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

Porcelain veneers bond to fronts of teeth, but dental crowns cover the entire tooth

You are unable to replace dental crowns with porcelain veneers. Preparing a tooth for a crown requires shaving it down every side of the tooth—making it too small to support a porcelain veneer. In contrast, tooth preparation for porcelain veneers is different. Sometimes, veneers do not require any preparation at all. When a skilled dentist must prepare your teeth for veneers, they will only remove a fraction of a millimeter from the front of each affected tooth.

Your teeth are already prepared for dental crowns, and insufficient tooth structure is left to support porcelain veneers. Also, veneers would leave the backs of your shaved-down teeth exposed and susceptible to decay. You can only replace dental crowns with new crowns.

Get a Second Opinion

Although a cosmetic dentist can only replace your existing crowns with new ones, you do not need to repeat an unpleasant experience with another dentist. Please look for dentists with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry and years of experience practicing the art.

Tips on selecting a dentist:

  • Read the dentist’s patients’ reviews. If you cannot find any reviews, be cautious.
  • Schedule a consultation with one or two advanced cosmetic dentists to discuss how to resolve your concerns.
  • Ask to see before-and-after patient photos of the dentist’s experience with crowns.

An experienced cosmetic dentist can replace your crowns and make them look natural.

 

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.

Is Whitening the Right Way to Remove Brown Teeth Stains?

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Over the past two years, I began to get brown stains on my teeth that are increasing. I see my dentist twice yearly, and she notices the stains, too. My dentist recommends whitening my teeth, but neither of us knows what is causing the stains. My dentist says the source is probably not serious because I am in my 50s, and the stains are just developing. I asked my primary care doctor about the stains, and he told me to check with my dentist first. I feel like I am stuck in a loop. Yesterday, a friend mentioned that I could research dental bonding if whitening does not work. Should I let my dentist whiten my teeth or get a second opinion? Thank you. Omari from CT

Omari,

Thank you for your question.

We are unsure why your dentist has not tried to identify the cause of the stains and recommend treatment. But you can ask her what might be causing the stains to understand why she recommends whitening your teeth.

Types of Tooth Stains that Develop in Adults

When stains develop during adulthood, they are either internal or external stains.

  • Internal stains – Internal stains can form as your teeth absorb pigments from foods and drinks, such as tea or coffee. Internal stains are even in appearance and affect the entire teeth, and bleaching can break them down. Some prescription medications can cause external stains, too.
  • External stains – External stains appear around your gumline and between your teeth. Some toothpaste brands, such as Supersmile, remove the sticky film (protein pellicle) from your teeth and stains that stick to it. Also, Supersmile toothpaste works because it removes the protein pellicle on your teeth and the stains that adhere to it. Your dental hygienist can remove surface stains.

Identifying the Cause of Tooth Stains

Sometimes a health condition or medication can cause discoloration in teeth. Ask your dentist to review your medical and prescription histories. If neither health nor medication is a factor, your dentist’s recommendation makes sense.

Will You Need Teeth Bleaching or Dental Bonding?

Teeth bleaching gel applied to teeeth

A cosmetic dentist can identify the cause of, and treat, brown teeth stains

Whether a dentist uses teeth bleaching or dental bonding depends on the cause of the tooth stains. If your teeth stains come from coffee or tea, whitening from your dentist will break them down. Dental bonding is usually not necessary unless internal tooth stains develop from medication, fluorosis, or a medical condition.

Teeth whitening from a dentist is safe and can help your smile look younger. If your dentist is not willing to identify the cause of the stains, you can look for a dentist with cosmetic dentistry training to help you.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Szarek, sponsors this post. His office is convenient to Andover, Dracut, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and surrounding cities.

 

Root Canal After Veneers

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I need a root canal after wearing veneers for 12 years. My left upper incisor is infected, so my dentist referred me to an endodontist. A root canal is my only option. My veneers look new, so I am concerned about my tooth turning dark after the root canal or losing the veneer altogether. Also, I got the veneers when I lived in Texas, but now I live in NJ. Although my dentist takes good care of my veneers, I haven’t seen any of her veneers’ cases, so I don’t know if I have confidence in her if I need a new veneer. Am I at risk of losing it? – Thank you. Linda from New Haven, CT

 

Linda,

It is unusual to need root canal treatment for a porcelain veneer tooth. But if a dentist aggressively prepared your tooth veneers and removed the enamel, the tooth is at greater risk for stress and decay.

How to Prevent a Root Canal from Darkening Your Veneer

Root canal after veneers can darken a tooth. But during treatment, your dentist can minimize the effects. After your endodontist performs your root canal treatment, they can preserve your tooth color with these steps:

  • Clean out root canal filling material from the portion of your tooth above the gumline
  • Place a flexible fiberglass post into the tooth root
  • Fill the space with a light shade of dental composite

Since leftover filling and cement darkening after root canal treatment usually causes darkening, the above steps will help. Cleaning out your crown can prevent your tooth from darkening for five to ten years. And your porcelain veneer can prolong the good results.

Will Root Canal Treatment Ruin Your Veneer?

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

A securely bonded veneer should stay intact during root canal treatment

Root canal treatment should not ruin your veneer. A dentist will access your tooth from the biting surface—not the front of a tooth where your veneer is located. If the dentist who placed your veneers bonded them securely, your veneer would stay in place during root canal treatment.

 

Michael Szarek, DMD sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek is an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Can I Trust My Dentist for a New Implant Crown and Dental Bonding?

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I agreed to extraction and a dental implant after three failed root canals on my top left first molar tooth. But I also have brown fluoride stains on my teeth. Although, I have never done anything about the stains. I do not want a blotchy brown implant crown to match my stained teeth. In 2018, my dentist bleached my stained teeth and applied dental bonding, but both look bad. Now that I need an implant, I am afraid of how my smile might look. My dentist asked me what I wanted to do about the fluoride stains, but I don’t think I want him doing anything. Neither do I want to see two dentists – my current one for an implant and another to lighten the stains. How can I handle this situation? Thank you. Daniel from Ithaca, NY

 

Thank you for your question, Daniel

Bleaching or Dental Bonding for Brown Fluoride Stains?

Bleaching your teeth does not help with fluoride stains. But neither does direct dental bonding if your dentist doesn’t have advanced training. Dentists apply dental bonding by hand, so you will not get good results unless a dentist has cosmetic dentistry training and an artistic eye to make the bonding look natural.

However, you can find a cosmetic dentist to replace your old dental bonding and hide your stains without making your teeth look pasty or opaque.

Dental Implant Crown to Match Bonding

Dental implant diagram of component, implant fixture in bone, and crown placement

A cosmetic dentist can match dental bonding and implant crowns

If you want your dental implant crown to match your new bonding, it is best to let one skilled cosmetic dentist do all the work. Crown matching requires specific instructions from the dentist to a ceramist. Together, they can ensure your bonding and implant crown match.

Unfortunately, your current dentist has not proven his ability with dental bonding. So, it is unlikely that you would get results if you allowed him to place your implant crown.

Look for accredited or advanced cosmetic dentists in your area. Schedule consultations with two skilled cosmetic dentists to discuss your options. The consultations will increase your comfort in switching dentists for a natural-looking smile that you can feel confident about.

 

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.

Why is my dentist recommending a crown for a healthy tooth?

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Asian woman smiling - for info on dental crowns on healthy teeth from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. SzarekI wonder if my dentist’s business is in a slump, and he is looking for ways to generate income. I’ve had this dentist for four years. He did a root canal on my canine tooth three years ago, and now he says I should consider a crown to prevent the tooth from breaking. I have no symptoms in the tooth, and the x-rays show it is sound. Why would I get a crown? Thank you. Wei from MA

 

Wei,

Thank you for your question.

Does a Front Root Canal Tooth Need a Crown?

A front tooth with a root canal does not need a crown unless it is weak or is already missing most of its structure. Sometimes, a dentist will place a crown for aesthetic reasons, but an advanced cosmetic dentist might use another option to improve the tooth’s appearance.

How Does Root Canal Affect a Front Tooth?

Root canal treatment removes tooth infection, but it also makes any tooth more brittle. Although it is easy to crown the tooth, more care is needed with a front tooth.

Canine Teeth and Root Canal Treatment

Preparing a canine tooth for a crown requires a dentist to remove about one millimeter of structure all around the tooth. About 50% of the tooth’s fracture resistance will be left. If the tooth weakens over time, it can break and create the need for a dental implant.

Canine teeth have long roots to absorb intense horizontal stress to protect back teeth. So, grinding down a canine tooth for a crown is not advisable when the tooth is in reasonably good condition.

Your dentist’s exam and x-rays show that your canine tooth is sound. So, we recommend not accepting a dental crown. You can ask your dentist for more information on why he recommends a crown if the tooth is in good condition. But based on the information you provided, we would not disturb the tooth and weaken it without good reason.

You may choose to get a second opinion from a nearby accredited cosmetic dentist.

 

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.