When I was 12, I fell and hit my mouth. Our family dentist did a root canal on my front right tooth, and the crown has been discolored ever since. I’m 57 and have had three dentists replace the crown over the years, but the dark tooth still shows through. I’m concerned about how many cosmetic dentists I’ll need to consult before finding one who understands how to conceal the discoloration on my front tooth. I’m unsure of what to ask, but what’s your advice? Thanks. Ahmed from NY
Ahmed,
Understandably, you’re seeking the best care for your cosmetic dental needs. When a dentist has excellent technical abilities and a keen artistic sensibility for natural-looking results, their talent will shine in their patients’ smiles. One way to gauge a dentist’s skill is by viewing examples of their work, which many dentists who excel in aesthetics will feature on their website’s smile gallery.
How Can You Find a Cosmetic Dentist for a Discolored Front Tooth?
To help you search for a practitioner who aligns with your aesthetic goals, look closely at how a dental practice presents itself and its services. The information you shared highlights a few areas that can offer clues about a dentist’s primary focus and approach to cosmetic procedures.
How to Evaluate a Cosmetic Dentist’s Focus
Consult an accredited cosmetic dentist for natural-looking crowns
You can evaluate a cosmetic dentist’s focus by visiting their website to see if they promote highly aesthetic smiles or affordable dental care. Examine a few cosmetic dentists’ websites with these factors in mind:
- Review their Online Smile Gallery: Look for a comprehensive patient smile gallery of before-and-after photos. Does the work appeal to your sense of beauty and naturalness?
- Understand their Approach to Insurance: Dentists focused on affordable dentistry may be in-network with numerous insurance companies. Some cosmetic dentists who use premium materials and specialized labs and dedicate extended time to achieve optimal results may limit their participation in insurance plans, which have constraints and discounted fee schedules. Many top-tier cosmetic dentists may participate with only a few plans or none.
- Focus on the Artist, Not Just the Materials: Materials like layered zirconia, e.max, or feldspathic porcelain are important. Collaborating with a talented ceramist, an excellent cosmetic dentist can achieve beautiful results with various high-quality options. The true measure of their ability lies in their completed work. Focus should be on the visual evidence of a cosmetic dentist’s work.
We hope these points help you determine your and a cosmetic dentist’s priorities as you refine your search.
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.
My front teeth were badly decayed, so my dentist recommended crowns for the 8 top front teeth. Although I did not have gap before the crowns, I have one now. Also, the crowns are too big and learning to speak with them must be more stressful than I realize because my jaw and neck are sore. My lips are numb and cracked, and my mouth is dry. I probably have my mouth open more than I realize. I thought my dentist could have my teeth with crowns, but now I am worried that I might need dental implants instead. Is it possible to make the crowns smaller and still close the gap? – Thank you. Kyle from KY
