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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

What’s Causing My New Dental Crowns to Turn Yellow?

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I’ve been distressed since getting my six porcelain crowns on my upper front teeth in October. I chose the color BL1, aiming for a truly white smile because my natural teeth have always been white.

However, the crowns don’t seem to match the color I selected. To make matters worse, they’re starting to yellow. Even after drinking coffee or other beverages, I notice a slight staining. I have a consultation scheduled for Monday and hope you can provide some helpful insight into what the dentist might recommend.

The yellowing has made me self-conscious, and I don’t smile as much. Supersmile toothpaste hasn’t made a difference. I feel like I’ve wasted my time and money on the crowns. – Thanks. Warner from IL

 

Warner,

If your dentist used genuine porcelain, your crowns should not stain or yellow. However, there are a few potential explanations for the issue you’re experiencing.

New dental crownsOne possibility is that the crowns were made from a cheaper resin material, which is more prone to staining. Another less likely scenario is that the glaze on the porcelain crowns may have been compromised, perhaps due to a harsh polishing technique or acidic exposure. Acidulated fluoride, for instance, can etch the porcelain’s surface, making it susceptible to staining. Even a powerful toothpaste like Supersmile may be ineffective in this case, as it primarily targets the protein pellicle on natural teeth.

Regarding the color choice, BL1 is an extremely white shade, often used for heavily bleached teeth. While it’s possible to achieve such whiteness, it’s important to consider the overall balance of your smile. A stark contrast between your front teeth and the rest of your dentition might appear unnatural. Working closely with your dentist to select a crown shade that complements your natural teeth and facial features is crucial.

We recommend seeking a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist to diagnose the problem accurately.

your feedback and work with you to achieve the smile you desire.

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.

Why Are New Dental Crowns Burning My Gums?

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New dental crownsMy dentist removed six temporary crowns from my teeth after I complained about discomfort. I had an infection, so my dentist removed the crowns and prescribed antibiotics. He didn’t do root canals on any of the teeth. My bite was off when I got my new crowns, so my dentist filed away on all the crowns. The new crowns leaked like the temporaries, so my dentist returned them to the lab. I should have new crowns within ten days. My gums are burning, and my teeth are sensitive from the previous crowns. I want to cancel the crowns. Thanks. Lydia

Lydia,

Please don’t let your dentist permanently cement the new crowns until you feel comfortable with them and your bite is harmonious.

Why Are Dental Crowns Burning Your Gums?

Dental crowns should not cause your gums to burn. If your crowns are porcelain fused to metal, you may have a metal allergy or sensitivity. Tell your dentist about your burning gums and ask if the crowns contain metal. If they do, your dentist can give you an alloy certificate from the dental lab to identify the metals in the crowns. If your crowns are all ceramic, your dentist will investigate further to determine the cause of your symptoms.

What If Your Dentist Can’t Adjust Your Bite After Placing New Crowns?

If your dentist can’t adjust your bite after placing new crowns, you can benefit from the skills and experience of a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Placing six crowns on the front teeth is a complex treatment. Ongoing problems with your bite suggest that your dentist may not know how to harmonize your bite.

You can ask your dentist to temporarily cement the new crowns and find an advanced cosmetic dentist for an exam. You can tell the dentist that you want to ensure your crowns are comfortable before they are cemented. The dentist can discern whether preparing your natural teeth for the crowns or the crowns’ construction is disrupting your bite.

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.

Can Dental Crowns Be Replaced by or Covered with Veneers?

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If I have crowns on my two front teeth, will a dentist need to remove them for me to get porcelain veneers? I’m not sure how it will work, and I would like some ideas before I go to a dentist who wants to take off the crowns when it might not be necessary. I’m narrowing my list of dentists down to three, and I hope to meet with two of them within the next few weeks. Stacie from Boston

Stacie,

Thanks for your question.

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

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are made of the same material. But they differ in how much of the tooth they cover.

  • Porcelain crown – A dentist shaves the entire circumference of a tooth before placing a crown over it. You can’t leave the altered tooth uncovered, and you can’t use a porcelain veneer on it.
  • Porcelain veneer – It covers the front and sides of a tooth. Your dentist will lightly shave the fronts of your teeth to ensure the veneers fit well at your gumline and look natural, not bulky.

What About Covering a Dental Crown with a Veneer?

Some dentists will shave a dental crown and put a veneer over it. There are disadvantages of placing a veneer over a crown:

  • The veneer will be vulnerable and might fail, but a crown will last longer.
  • It doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as a new crown.
  • It takes the same amount of work as replacing the crown, and it doesn’t save money.

Select an Advanced Cosmetic Dentist

An advanced cosmetic dentist is concerned about aesthetics and your oral health. They will replace your two crowns, place veneers on your remaining teeth, and ensure they all match perfectly.

Select a dentist who is skilled in cosmetic dentistry and has training in the art—beyond dental school. Look for a smile gallery of patient photos on the dentist’s website. And read the dentist’s bio and look for indications of post-graduate training in dental aesthetics.