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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

My dentist recommended crowns instead of bonding and ruined my teeth

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I asked my long-time dentist to replace the old bonding on my tetracycline-stained teeth. My dentist convinced me that I would like the results if he removed the bonding, whitened my teeth, and placed crowns on my six front teeth. He explained that crowns are a better option because they last long and would help with my gummy smile. I listened to my dentist without knowing what was involved with crowns. Before the procedure, my dentist told me that he would have to grind my teeth a little, but my teeth looked like pegs when he finished.

My crowns look big and pasty, and in fluorescent light, you can see undertones of gray. Although my dentist said he would get the lab to correct it free of charge, the only thing different about my crown is that they look a little less gray. I got crowns at his recommendation, and he messed up my teeth! Now that I see what crowns did to my teeth, I prefer dental bonding, but I guess it is too late now. Is there anything a dentist can do with the crowns to make them look less bright and pasty? – Thank you. Bianca from RI

 

Bianca,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. No doubt, you trusted your dentist because you are a long-time patient.

We will review your dentist’s mistakes to help you understand how selective you must be before choosing another dentist—which we highly recommend.

Pasty-Looking Dental Crowns

Your dental crowns look pasty or chalky because your dentist does not understand how to manipulate porcelain for natural-looking translucence.

Based on your description, Bianca, at least three things went wrong:

  • Aggressive treatment – Your dentist recommended porcelain crowns because he was uncomfortable with porcelain veneers—a more conservative treatment than crowns. Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years and are a beautiful alternative to dental bonding.
  • Limiting treatment to six teeth – At least eight front teeth—sometimes ten to twelve—show when you smile. Unfortunately, your dentist’s recommendation to treat only six teeth leaves untreated teeth exposed. And it makes it evident that you have dental crowns.
  • Not enough coverage – When a dentist does not understand the color issues related to tetracycline stains, crowns or veneers will not hide the stains. The dark color will show through. And it seems that your dentist’s attempt to lighten your teeth by bleaching them did not work at all.

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

Photo of a woman's mouch with custom teeth whitening trays being placed on her teeth; from Lowell MA accredited cosmetic dentist Michael Szarek, DMD.

Only an advanced cosmetic dentist can determine if teeth whitening will help tetracycline stains

Tetracycline stains are challenging for dentists to conceal. It takes advanced cosmetic dentistry training and experience to hide the stains and keep crowns or veneers looking natural.

We recommend that you find an accredited cosmetic dentist to examine your crowns. Unfortunately, you will need new crowns to get natural-looking results. After you see the cosmetic dentist, try asking your current dentist for a partial refund at least.

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

5 Facts About Tetracycline-Stained Teeth that You Shouldn’t Ignore

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Many people are tempted to self-treat severe tetracycline staining by whitening their teeth or asking their family dentist for porcelain veneers. But this aesthetic issue requires much more skill than most dentists have.

1. What Causes Tetracycline Stains on Teeth?

If you took the antibiotic tetracycline as a child while your permanent teeth were still forming, the antibiotic might be discolored. Most likely, your teeth are grayish brown, and in severe cases, they are very dark.

2. Does Teeth Whitening Help Tetracycline Stains?

The KöR whitening system is so powerful that it can lighten tetracycline stains. Other teeth whitening systems are ineffective for these stains. Although KöR might not completely resolve the issue, it’s less expensive than porcelain veneers and can improve your smile. Keep in mind that your cosmetic dentist might not use KöR as treatment, or it might not be an option for your case.

3. Will Porcelain Veneers Help?

Although some dentists try to cover tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers, the results often don’t look good on your smile. There are several reasons:

  • Porcelain needs to be translucent to look natural – But translucency allows the dark stains to show through your veneers.
  • Opaque porcelain veneers don’t look natural either – If a dentist chooses to reduce the translucency in your veneers to conceal tetracycline stains, your teeth will look chalky or pasty.
  • Full coverage is needed – Often, dentists who lack experience in concealing tetracycline stains cover the fronts of the teeth—not the sides. This technique leaves dark shadows on the edges of your teeth.

The above scenarios attract attention to your smile for the wrong reasons. And that’s what you’re already trying to avoid. But in the hands of a skilled dentist, porcelain veneers can transform your smile.

4. Your Choice of Dentist Matters

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

Only advanced cosmetic dentists can conceal tetracycline stains with veneers

Porcelain veneers can conceal tetracycline stains. But it requires the skill of an accomplished cosmetic dentist who understands how to block dark discoloration in your teeth while maintaining translucency in your porcelain veneers. It’s an art that most dentists lack. Aesthetic-driven laboratories craft opalescent porcelains that advanced dentists use to help you smile with confidence.

5. Consult with an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

We recommend that you search for an accredited cosmetic dentist. Avoid asking your family dentist to try to resolve this issue for you. Most family dentists will taper your teeth and place porcelain crowns over them. Still, if the stains are very dark, crowns won’t completely conceal the discoloration. An accredited cosmetic dentist will preserve most of your natural tooth structure by treating the tetracycline stains with veneers or KöR whitening if appropriate.

During your consultation and exam, ask the accredited cosmetic dentist a few questions:

  • What treatment will you use to conceal the tetracycline stains in my teeth?
  • What results can I expect?
  • How many cases like mine have you completed?
  • May I see before-and-after photos of tetracycline cases you’ve treated with porcelain veneers or KöR whitening?

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