I got new zirconia crowns to replace my old ones. I know which is worse – my old yellowing or solid white zirconia crowns that look like I put fake teeth over mine. I’m embarrassed. My dentist says the crowns are solid white because they are monolithic, and I asked for white teeth. Why didn’t he warn me about how the crowns would look?

I plan to ask for a refund, but I’ve seen two dentists who say they can replace the crowns. How do I know what results to expect? My anxiety is making it difficult to sleep. I never thought that getting new crowns would be this stressful. Ben from San Antonio

Ben,

We understand your anxiety and frustration.

Since zirconia comes from a ceramic block, the lab can’t customize it to mimic our natural teeth’s variations in color and translucence. So, a lab ceramist will veneer zirconia with porcelain when placed in the smile zone. Blending various colors when applying porcelain paste to the crowns helps reproduce a tooth’s appearance is called layered zirconia. Monolithic zirconia, without porcelain layers, is inappropriate for a front tooth because it will not look natural. Additionally, your dentist placed your crowns too far forward, detracting from your smile.

How Can You Find a Cosmetic Dentist for Natural-Looking Crowns?

You can find a cosmetic dentist for natural-looking crowns by researching dentists’ technical skills and artistic ability.

• Look for Accreditation: Find an expert cosmetic dentist accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To achieve accreditation, dentists must pass demanding written and clinical examinations that confirm to the examiners their comprehensive knowledge and the artistic capability needed to create a beautiful smile.
• Ask to See Before-and-After Pictures: Some expert cosmetic dentists have chosen not to go through the AACD’s accreditation program. However, all such experts should be able to show you photographs of their beautiful work with dental crowns. Ask to see pictures of similar cases a dentist has completed.
• Avoid Making Cost a Priority: While some highly skilled cosmetic dentists charge premium fees, many have fee structures comparable to local dentists. High-quality cosmetic dentistry requires the finest materials and the best dental laboratories, requiring dentists to invest the time to achieve a beautiful result. So, if you’re searching for cheap dental work, it’s unlikely to be beautiful.

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.