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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Why Are My New Implant Crowns Beige?

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Last summer, I got three dental implants. In November of 2020, my dentist placed the final implant crowns. I gradually saw the crowns darkening and mentioned it to my dentist. He told me the crowns are white but not stark white and can look different depending on the lighting. The crowns are beige in sunlight, fluorescent light, bright light, and candlelight. The lighting does not matter. And I am trying not to be furious because I mentioned this to my dentist months ago. I am a suspicious person by nature, but when my dentist told me that crown color depends on the lighting, I felt he knew he was at fault. What kind of battle can I expect with a dentist who probably won’t admit he is at fault? – Thanks for your help. Angela T. from MD

Angela,

We understand your disappointment in receiving implant crowns that detract from the time, effort, and money you spent to improve your smile.

Why Are Your New Implant Crowns Discolored?

If your new implant crowns are discolored, it could be due to surface damage, faulty construction, or the composition of the crowns.

  • Faulty construction – If the glazed surface were damaged when the lab tech made your crowns, they would progressively darken.
  • Damage by your dentist – Sometimes, a dentist can grind away the glaze when adjusting the front surfaces to fit your mouth well.
  • Damage during a hygiene appointment – If a dental hygienist uses power cleaning instruments or acidulated fluoride treatment on your teeth, it will damage the glaze. Your crowns will attract stains and darken.
  • Crown composition – Some patients who complain of yellowing crowns or porcelain veneers discover that they have composite—not porcelain restorations. Although most dentists do not misrepresent your treatment, it happens.

Determining Why Your Implant Crowns are Beige

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist and schedule an appointment for a second opinion. If you cannot find an accredited dentist, look for a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. The dentist will examine your implant crowns to determine why they darkened.

You have good reason to request a refund from your current dentist. But before you ask for a refund, get a second opinion and documentation of the issues with your crowns.

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

Before and after dental implant photos from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Szarek

Dr. Szarek beautifully replaced a dark tooth with an implant and crown

Eight years of missing teeth, and my face is starting to sink

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I have had three upper tooth missing for about 8 years and one lower tooth missing for about 9 years. I have noticed what feels like a decrease in volume in my jawbone on that side of my mouth. It is also difficult for me to chew on that side, so I chew on the left side of my mouth. When I look at myself in the mirror, I notice that the right side of my face looks a little sunken. Finally, I can get dental implants, but I wonder if this thing with my jawbone and face will get corrected with the implants. Oksana

 

Oksana – The situation you are describing with your cheek and jawbone is likely an indication that your jawbone is shrinking. When a tooth is missing, your body resorbs the jawbone from the space. A shrunken jawbone can cause the face to sag, as you described.

Can You Get Implants with Bone Shrinkage?

If you have jawbone shrinkage, to receive dental implants, bone grafting, an implant dentist or oral surgeon must build up your jawbone.

  • After the grafting procedure, when your jawbone heals, dental implants can be placed.
  • It takes about four months for bone grafts to heal.
  • Building up your jawbone and placing the implant will help to give your face its natural form again.

Beware of Bargain Implants

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

Dental implants can prevent bone shrinkage and facial sagging

People who need dental implants might be tempted to find the lowest cost possible. The danger in price shopping is that you may receive poor quality in implant fixtures and implant placement. We strongly recommend that you find a few experienced implant dentists with whom you can have consultations.

You will discuss your options with each dentist and decide who you want to complete your implant placement. Be sure to find an implant dentist who is also a cosmetic dentist. They will provide you with natural-looking crowns for your implants.

 

This post is sponsored by Michael Szarek, DMD of Lowell, MA.

Dental implant crowns make my mouth and teeth burn

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Almost two years ago, I received four implant crowns. After getting the crowns, my teeth feel dry. And the way my upper teeth hit my lower teeth was uncomfortable. My bite was heavy in places, and I developed the habit of tapping my teeth together. I’ve seen my dentist repeatedly for adjustments. Now I think that I have burning mouth syndrome. By mid-morning each day, the backsides of my front teeth are burning. I chew gum all day to keep the saliva flow going. My dentist told me that I need a gum specialist because nothing is wrong with my crowns. Another dentist gave me a second opinion and said my crowns are well-positioned. If that’s the case, why can’t I stop clicking my teeth together? I don’t know what to do next. Stephen from CT

 

Stephen,

Your experience gives us the impression that your dentist doesn’t have the skill and expertise to place four implant crowns all at once on upper teeth. Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your teeth for an accurate diagnosis, we will use your description to suggest what might be happening.

How crowns affect your bite

If your upper teeth are uncomfortably hitting your lower teeth, your crowns are disrupting your bite. When a dentist places crowns correctly, your bite will feel natural and comfortable without thinking about it. But your bite immediately felt awkward and is causing you to tap your teeth together.

Referral to a gum specialist

If your bite is off and your crowns are causing the problem, a gum specialist (periodontist) is not the answer.

Second opinion dentist

Although your crowns look perfect, your bite can still be off. When dentists place multiple crowns, they must follow occlusal principles. Your teeth must meet simultaneously and be positioned to ensure tooth function is not compromised. Although you had a second opinion, we recommend getting a third opinion.

Look for a dentist who has post-graduate training in occlusion and bite. Many dental schools don’t offer enough occlusion training for dentists to understand how to place multiple crowns at once. Find a dentist with post-graduate training in occlusion, bite, or full-mouth reconstruction from at least one of these training facilities:

  • Pankey Institute
  • Dawson Academy
  • Spear Education Center
  • Las Vegas Institute

Dry teeth and burning mouth

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Dental implant crowns can make or break yorur bite

Burning mouth syndrome might be the cause of your dry teeth and burning sensation in your mouth. The stress from your bad dental experience might be the trigger for your symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress is a secondary trigger for burning mouth syndrome.

After you find an advanced cosmetic dentist with training in occlusion and bite, you can receive implant crowns that look beautiful and function correctly. And your quality of life will improve.

 

Michael Szarek, DMD, of Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.

 

If get dental implants if I’m 16 and still have baby canine teeth?

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I’m 16 years old, and my upper and lower permanent canine teeth never came in. The baby teeth didn’t loosen or fall out, and the permanent ones never came in. Last December, my dentist removed the bottom teeth. The right permanent canine on the bottom was behind the primary tooth and grew almost in the right space. But the left permanent canine on the bottom is growing too close to the lateral incisor and leaving a space that looks like I have a missing tooth.

The issue with my canine teeth is leaving spaces between my teeth. I don’t want to remove the top canine teeth because I’m afraid that the permanent teeth will come up like the bottom ones and leave spaces. And then my other teeth will start moving, too. Are dental implants a solution for the spaces between my teeth? – Kerry

Kerry,

We are concerned about the situation you’ve described. If you have regular checkups, your dentist should address the problem. What you’re experiencing with your teeth is not uncommon, though. And dental schools train dentists on how to take good x-rays of your entire jaw to resolve the problem.

What Prevents Permanent Teeth from Erupting?

Often, permanent teeth don’t erupt because they are impacted. Some permanent teeth never form. Lateral incisors, lower premolars, and wisdom teeth most commonly don’t develop, but it’s rare for canine teeth not to develop. In the teenage years, when permanent canine teeth don’t erupt, it’s often because they are impacted.

If your dentist takes x-rays of your entire jaw, he’ll get answers to these questions:

  • Where are the permanent teeth?
  • Are they impacted?
  • Are they in front of, or behind, other permanent teeth?

Orthodontic treatment will help the teeth erupt in the correct position. One treatment that allows an impacted a permanent tooth to erupt is for an orthodontist to make a surgical opening in the tissue to expose it. If necessary, the orthodontist might use braces and attach a bracket to the tooth to help it erupt in the correct position. An orthodontist will also determine if there is enough room for a tooth to erupt in the right place.

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Dental implants need room beneath them to fuse with the bone and provide stability.

Canine teeth are anchor teeth and an essential part of your smile. It’s usually best to remove the first premolar to allow the canine to erupt. Afterward, braces can straighten the remaining teeth.

Will Dental Implants Work with Impacted Teeth?

Dental implants won’t work with impacted teeth because the teeth will block the implants. Implants require a clear path to fuse with your jawbone and remain stable. A dentist will only place implants if there are no teeth beneath them.

If your dentist can’t resolve the issue, we recommend that you get a second opinion or visit an orthodontist.

Michael Szarek, DMD, of Lowell, MA sponsors this post.

5 Reasons It’s Not Too Late for Dental Implants

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A lot of people think that it’s too late for dental implants if they’ve already been wearing dentures for many years. But what are the facts?

1. Time Doesn’t Matter

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been wearing dentures for ten months, ten years, or longer. You can still be a candidate for dental implants.

2. Delay Can Result in Dentures That You Can’t Wear

Without dental implants to stimulate your jawbone and prevent further shrinkage, over time as your jawbone continues to shrink, it won’t be possible to keep a denture in your mouth. Your dentures will progressively lift, slip around, and fall out. Dental implants can slow down the progression of bone shrinkage and improve your experience with dentures.

3. Bone Grafting Can Help

Although it’s not too late for dental implants, long-term denture wearers usually need bone grafting for several reasons:

  • Jawbone progressively shrinks when all your teeth are missing.
  • Dentures that rest on your gums accelerate bone shrinkage.
  • Grafting builds up the bone and provides support for dental implants.
  • The tissue for bone grafts can come from another part of your body or artificial bone.
Photo of angled dental implants for information on why it's not too late for implants in Lowell, MA

Angled dental implants can eliminate the need for bone grafting

4. Angled Dental Implants Might Be an Option

All-On-4 or All-On-6 implants are placed at angles to increase contact with your bone and decrease the chance of implants becoming displaced due to lack of bone density. The technique eliminates the need to build up the bone with grafting. Your provider will tell you if it is an option for you.

5. The Right Provider Can Help

A general dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist (a specialist in gum health) can perform implant surgery. Carefully select a provider who has the following qualifications:

  • Advanced training in implantology
  • Advanced technology to provide 3-D images of your oral anatomy to ensure optimal placement of the dental implants.
  • A history of dozens of successful cases of placing implants for patients with bone shrinkage

 

It’s not too late for dental implants. We suggest that you schedule consultations with at least two implant dentists. Each dentist should discuss your options and the results you can expect. He or she will answer your questions about this dental procedure.

 

Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.