My Implant Crown Doesn’t Match My Teeth

Posted by AllSmiles

My dentist did my implant crown the wrong color three times. The shade doesn’t match my surrounding teeth. My dentist said the crown was a close match and suggested that I am fortunate that my dental implant is stable after requesting that she redo the crowns. I am dissatisfied with her work and want to switch dentists. Am I at risk of dental implant failure by having the existing crown removed? – Thanks. Nelson from CT

Nelson,

Removing a dental crown by grinding it will not damage the underlying dental implant. However, achieving a perfect color match for a front tooth crown requires meticulous attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship.

Standard shade guides, such as the Vita shade guide, often fail to provide an exact match for front teeth. Shades like A1 and A2, while suitable for back teeth, are inappropriate for the aesthetic demands of a front tooth. Dentists must customize the standard shade to achieve a more precise match by incorporating additional tints and shades.

A common cosmetic dentistry approach involves the following:

• Draw a detailed color map – The dentist will outline areas where additional tints (e.g., pink, yellow, blue) are needed. This map serves as a blueprint for the dental ceramist, who will meticulously apply these tints to the crown to blend seamlessly with the surrounding natural teeth.
• Conduct a try-in – After the initial crown fabrication, the dentist conducts a try-in to assess the color match. Any discrepancies are noted and communicated to the ceramist, who may further adjust the crown.
• Take a picture of the try-in – Digital allows precise visual comparisons and more accurate color corrections.

Only once a perfect color match is achieved is the implant crown permanently cemented.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, sponsors this post. Read why his patients think he is the best dentist in Rocky Hill.