I’ve had four porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on my front teeth since 2002. In 2024, I decided I wanted to update them because whitening my natural teeth made the older crowns noticeable. The crowns were in good shape, but I couldn’t take the color mismatch.
I first saw a cosmetic dentist, but the treatment had to be paid for in advance, which I couldn’t afford. Another dentist told me she wouldn’t replace only four crowns and would do eight. She said I wouldn’t get the results I wanted with just four. I initially agreed and paid $900 for a laboratory wax-up, but I changed my mind the next morning. I picked up the model about a week later, and we parted on good terms.
I eventually had my general dentist replace the crowns. My original crowns were large and long and gave me the broad smile I had been used to seeing in pictures for years. Although my dentist reassured me that I would like the new crowns, they never looked right to me. They are still too short and look worse than the old crowns.
It has been almost three years, and I’m still unhappy with my smile. I’m not expecting anything unrealistic, but I would like my front teeth to look appealing. I’m unsure whether I should have the crowns redone or learn to live with them. Is it worth a redo? – Thanks. Ayomide from NJ
Ayomide,
We reviewed the smile galleries, credentials, and experience of the two cosmetic dentists you consulted. Both appear to have the background to handle a case like yours. Unfortunately, their treatment plans cost more than you felt comfortable spending at the time.
What to Consider Before Whitening Your Teeth If You Have Crowns
Consider teeth whitening and your existing crowns as a single cosmetic treatment plan. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns do not whiten along with natural teeth. Once your natural teeth became lighter with teeth bleaching, the difference between them and your older crowns would become more noticeable.
Before beginning treatment, it would have been helpful for the dentist to discuss:
- How light you wanted your natural teeth to become
- How the existing crowns would look after whitening
- Whether replacing the crowns might be necessary
- The desired size, length, and shape of your new crowns
- The total cost of completing the cosmetic work
Having that information beforehand would have allowed you to decide whether you were ready to proceed with treatment.
Why Consider Waiting if Cosmetic Treatment Is More Than You Can Afford?
Waiting can be preferable to compromising on cosmetic work. Front dental crowns are highly visible, and their length, shape, color, and how much tooth shows when you smile can significantly affect your smile. If the treatment you want is beyond your budget, you can postpone elective cosmetic work while you save. Waiting may be advisable if your existing dental work is still healthy and functional.
Why Would a Cosmetic Dentist Recommend Eight Crowns Instead of Four?
A cosmetic dentist may recommend eight crowns to provide greater control over the overall smile. That does not necessarily mean that replacing only four crowns is wrong. Experienced cosmetic dentists can look at the same case and recommend different approaches.
Some dentists may feel strongly that they must treat additional teeth and may decline to compromise their treatment plan. Others may be comfortable limiting treatment when a patient understands that restoring fewer teeth could restrict the cosmetic result.
The important question is what can realistically be accomplished with four crowns in your smile. Since you remain unhappy with the length of your current crowns, a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist could help you determine whether replacing the crowns can give you the smile proportions you want.
The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read why patients say Dr. Finley and his team offer the best dental care in Monroe.
Before and after dental crown photos from Dr. Finley of Monroe, LA
Which teeth whitening brand works for spots on my teeth after braces? I wore braces for two years and finally finished treatment last month. Although my teeth are straight, I have brown and white stains that will not come off with whitening strips. I am self-conscious about my smile but do not want to ruin it with products that don’t work.
My daughter has some weird stains on her teeth, and I wonder if it is safe to use whitening trips on her teeth. She is eight years old and has some weird teeth stains that her pediatric dentist says she wants to watch and wait to see how my daughter’s teeth progress. Now that school has started, kids are teasing my daughter about the stains. We brush her teeth twice daily and floss them nightly. I limit my kids’ snacks to the weekends, bake whatever they eat, and use less sugar than the recipe. I am sensitive to my daughter’s self-esteem and want to try whitening strips if it’s okay. Thanks for your help. Angelina
