I had a root canal at age 13 after an accident. The tooth turned darker over the years.  I’ve had no success finding a dentist who can hide the dark tooth. Now my gums are irritated above the newest crown (August 2024), and the tooth still looks dark.

Would an all-porcelain or porcelain-layered crown with zirconia core be best? I know I shouldn’t insist on a specific crown type, but I don’t want to spend the next five years searching for a new dentist and a crown that finally looks good. Thanks. Filipe from CT

Filipe,

When seeking cosmetic dental work, it’s essential to remember that it seamlessly blends science with artistry. Many dentists are technically proficient, but only a select few possess the artistic eye needed to create truly natural and beautiful smiles. These “artist” dentists are typically eager to showcase their work. My strong recommendation is to actively look for dentists who feature an online smile gallery or portfolio. Browse these galleries and confirm that the results genuinely impress you and reflect the quality you desire.

You might notice that dentists emphasizing “affordable dentistry” often highlight their participation with many insurance networks. However, top-tier cosmetic dentists find it challenging to operate within the financial constraints of discounted insurance plans. Their commitment to using premium materials and collaborating with the finest dental labs to produce exceptional, high-quality dental restorations often conflicts with the reduced fees offered by insurance providers. In my conversations with many leading cosmetic dentists, I’ve found that they either participate in very few insurance plans (perhaps one or two) or choose not to participate at all, to avoid compromising their standards of care.

Why Choose a Cosmetic Dentist Over Specific Dental Materials?

An excellent cosmetic dentist, working in collaboration with a skilled ceramist, can achieve a beautiful outcome using various materials, including layered zirconia, e.max, or feldspathic porcelain. Rather than focusing on the specific material, consider this analogy: if you were hiring a painter, would you primarily ask about the brand of their paints to judge their skill? Probably not. You’d evaluate their finished artwork. Similarly, with cosmetic dentistry, the most crucial thing to assess is the dentist’s track record of producing beautiful, natural-looking results.

Below are tips for finding a skilled cosmetic dentist.

• Review Smile Galleries: Actively seek out dentists with online smile galleries to assess their artistic capabilities with dental crown cases like yours.
• Understand Insurance Participation: Advanced cosmetic dentists may have limited or no participation with insurance plans due to their commitment to high-quality materials and lab work.
• Prioritize Results Over Materials: Focus on the dentist’s portfolio and the aesthetic quality of their previous work, rather than getting caught up in the specific type of material they use.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Szarek strives to give his patients the best dental care in Lowell.