I had a CEREC crown done on one of my canine teeth about three weeks ago. We never really discussed the shade while I was in the office, but as soon as I got home, I realized that it was a bit lighter than the rest of my teeth. Well, once I saw it, I couldn’t un-see it, and now every time I look at myself, all I see is that darn tooth. It looks fake.
I didn’t want to bother my dentist with this at first, so I started playing around with at-home whitening products to try to get the rest of my teeth to match, but I’m just not getting them as bright as that CEREC crown. This probably sounds crazy, but I’m starting to wonder if the dentist can darken it just a bit, so it’s a better match. Is that even possible?
Thanks,
Stan
Dear Stan,
Your question isn’t crazy and, particularly with a tooth near the front, your dentist should have shown you the work before you left to ensure you were happy with it.
Ideally, a Good Color Match is Selected from the Start
Your dentist had color options. Really, the materials come in every shade imaginable. He could have had an exact match. He chose not to. That’s a shame, but it’s also very telling. It means he’s not an “artist.” He’s more into the mechanics of dentistry, which is ok for everyday needs, but not great when you want your smile to look natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Varnishes and Stains Exist
There are varnishes and stains that can be used on dental restorations, though they’re typically used before the crown is cemented in your mouth. He may be able to darken it a bit and there’s no harm in letting him try.
You May Have to Have Your CEREC Crown Replaced
You deserve to be happy with your smile and he biffed the color. You may have to have the whole thing replaced. However, this time, make sure you get to look at it BEFORE they cement it. He should use a temporary try-in paste and allow you to look at your CEREC crown under various lighting conditions. Look at it in the chair. Get up and go into the bathroom and check it there. Venture outside and view it in natural sunlight. If it isn’t right, don’t let them cement it. You can also get involved during the shade selection process, either by examining the shade guide or physical material before they put it in the milling machine.
Request a Lab-Made Restoration if All Else Fails
Assuming you trust your dentist and have a great relationship with him other than this blip, one last line of defense is to revert back to a lab-made crown. Although you’ll have to wait two weeks for the lab to make it, the lab technician will hopefully have a better eye for detail than your dentist. For the best results, you’d really want to switch to someone with real expertise in cosmetic dentistry for these sorts of things, but you’ve already started with him, so as long as you’re keen to continue, give him the chance to fix his work too.
This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.