In early July, I received six porcelain crowns on my upper front teeth. I picked shade BL1 for a very white look, but the crowns never appeared as bright as I expected.
Now the crowns are yellowing and seem to pick up stains whenever I drink coffee, but I am not a heavy coffee drinker. I’ve tried using Supersmile toothpaste, but it hasn’t helped.
I have a consultation with a new dentist this Monday. I would appreciate advice on why the crowns are discoloring and what options a dentist may recommend for correcting this issue. Thanks. Paisley from NJ
Paisley,
If your crowns are truly porcelain and the glaze is intact, they should not stain or yellow. However, the glaze can be damaged under certain conditions. Once that happens, the porcelain surface becomes slightly rough and porous, which allows stains to settle in.
What Can Damage the Glaze on Porcelain Crowns?
There are several potential causes of damage to the glaze on porcelain crowns.
- Dental equipment: Power polishing tools such as the Prophy Jet.
- Fluoride treatments: Acidulated fluoride (which contains hydrofluoric acid) can etch the glaze. Neutral fluoride, on the other hand, is safe.
- Everyday acids: Citric acid (citrus fruits), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), or hydrochloric acid (from acid reflux) do not affect porcelain, so these are not a concern.
- Because the stain is now within the etched surface, regular whitening methods won’t work. A cosmetic dentist can determine if the glaze has been damaged.
If damage occurs, stains can embed in the porcelain and won’t come out with products like Supersmile toothpaste, which is designed to dissolve protein films on natural teeth, not rough porcelain surfaces.
Was the Color You Chose Realistic?
The shade BL1 you selected is whiter than any natural tooth color. It was added to tooth shade guides only after bleaching became popular in the 1990s. For reference:
- B1: The whitest natural shade seen before bleaching.
- A2: The most common adult tooth color.
- BL1–BL4: Shades created to match bleached teeth, with BL1 being the brightest.
Teeth bleaching shades
If you had not bleached your teeth, a dentist would typically avoid placing BL1 crowns without addressing the rest of your smile. Otherwise, your darker premolars would be visible, creating a noticeable mismatch. A conscientious cosmetic dentist would discuss this with you upfront and offer options, such as bleaching your natural teeth or adding porcelain veneers to nearby teeth for a seamless look.
Should You Get a Second Opinion?
It sounds like you’re already considering it, which is wise. For the best results, look for a dentist who has cosmetic credentials and a website featuring a smile gallery with before-and-after photos of successful cases.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.
