Last November, the bonding on one of my front teeth chipped. My dentist had retired, so I saw a new dentist who suggested veneers until she noticed that my teeth had fillings. Then she said that veneers weren’t an option, so she recommended crowns instead.

I didn’t know much about crowns at the time, so I went ahead with the treatment. Now I have six porcelain crowns on my front teeth, and I’m unhappy with them. My two front teeth look gray in pictures and don’t blend well with the other four crowns. Can anything be done to lighten the color of crowns? Thanks. Nyota from IL

Nyota,

It is understandable to feel disappointed after investing in six crowns to replace bonding and receiving front crowns that don’t match the others. Based on your description, correcting the two front crowns will probably require replacing them.

Why Do Your Front Tooth Crowns Look Gray?

The gray appearance may come from the crowns themselves, the underlying tooth color, or a combination of both. Porcelain can transmit some of the color beneath it, depending on the material type and thickness.

The goal should be for the two front crowns to blend naturally with the surrounding four crowns. Before replacing all six crowns, an experienced cosmetic dentist can determine whether remaking only the two center crowns will provide a satisfactory match.

How Can You Avoid Another Color Mismatch with Dental Crowns?

You should have an opportunity to evaluate the new crowns before the dentist permanently bonds or cements them. Once they are permanently attached, correcting the color usually means replacing them.

A careful try-in allows you and the dentist to evaluate several details:

• Color and brightness
• How well the two crowns match the other four
• Shape, length, and symmetry
• How the crowns look in different lighting and in photographs

The dentist should use a clear try-in paste or another appropriate clear, water-soluble medium during this evaluation. The medium helps a dentist anticipate how the underlying tooth color will show through the porcelain after final placement. Evaluating the crowns without an appropriate try-in medium can give a misleading impression of the final color.

When Should You See a Cosmetic Dentist?

If your dentist is willing to address your concerns and remake the crowns, discuss the try-in process before treatment begins. Make sure you are comfortable with the appearance before approving permanent cementation.

If you are not confident that the crowns can be matched to your satisfaction, consider getting a second opinion from a dentist with advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry. Matching two front crowns to four existing crowns can be challenging, so experience with porcelain restorations, shade matching, and working closely with a skilled dental laboratory is essential.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.