Why Is My Dental Implant Crown Color Still Off?

Although my dentist replaced the first mismatched implant crown he gave me, the second crown is no better. Twice, I went to the lab my dentist uses for color assessment. However, my dentist attached the crown without assessing the color. He did not even ask my opinion. I thought he was putting the crown on for me to check—not cementing it. It felt as if my jawbone would break because my dentist had trouble attaching the crown to the implant. Well, now the crown is the wrong color, and it hurts. I took my time to choose this dentist, but it doesn’t seem like he is good with crowns. Should I ask for a refund and find a better dentist? Am I wrong to think this is ridiculous? Thank you. Jane from Oregon

Jane,

Your frustration is understandable. Unfortunately, your case shows the difference between dentists who understand aesthetics—creating beautiful dental work—and those who want to fix and get it done.

From your description, it seems your dentist lacks aesthetics training or is not interested in your satisfaction with the work.

What Can You Do If Your Dental Implant Crowns Do Not Match?

If your dentist cannot correct your implant crown color, find a dentist trained in aesthetics and artistic inclination. A skilled cosmetic dentist is your best option for getting predictable results.

A cosmetic dentist would ensure the crown color is correct before cementing it. If the color is off, they will return your crown to the lab to correct it.

When a dentist sends you to the lab for a color check, it is a clue that the dentist is not skilled in matching restorations (e.g., a crown) to your tooth color. Your dentist should be more qualified than the technician and instruct the technician, including notes on color-matching the implant crown to your natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist also sends a shade guide and pictures of your smile to help the lab tech craft an accurate match.

How to Find a Reliable Cosmetic Dentist

We recommend looking for a cosmetic dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. How can you find a trustworthy cosmetic dentist?

• Look for a dentist with extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
• Look at a few cosmetic dentists’ websites to see the quality of their work.
• Then, schedule consultations with two of them, discuss your concerns and decide who you can trust to finish the work.

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post. Read how he provides some of the best dental care in Rocky Hill.

 

 

My Implant Crown Doesn’t Match My Teeth

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.

Lidocaine Doesn’t Work and My Dental Implant Failed

My upper right first premolar cracked last month. My dentist said he couldn’t save the tooth, so he scheduled an appointment for an extraction and implant. Before and during the extraction, my dentist gave me six lidocaine shote. My palate and tongue burned. My dentist placed an implant right after removing the tooth. When I returned for a checkup the following week, I told the dentist about my burning palate and tongue, so he prescribed a mouth rinse. I had a four-month monthly checkup before my dentist said the bone was ready for my final crown. My mouth burned for all that time despite the mouth rinse. My dentist exposed the implant, and we waited a few more weeks for him to take impressions for my final crown. I thought I would be good to go when the crown arrived, and maybe all the burning could calm down.

I can’t explain the extent of my discomfort when the dentist tried to screw the crown onto the implants. This appointment was another round of six lidocaine shots. Finally, he got the crown on, but my bite felt off. Because of my stress, we scheduled two more appointments to correct my bite. It felt okay but not great before I went on vacation in late July. While on vacation, the crown fell off. I was so embarrassed to go to a dentist in Michigan. I found a competent dentist who has been placing implants for 20 years and is a co-instructor at dental implant classes for other dentists. What a relief. I wish I could go back to Michigan for care. Anyway, that dentist told me to see my local dentist right away. My dentist admitted that the implant failed and that he needed to remove it. I have no implant, just a missing tooth, and a burning tongue and palate. I told my dentist I wanted a refund, and he agreed but asked me to let him redo the work. He said that he now understands what went wrong. Why couldn’t he know before it went wrong? Anyway, I’m going to get a second opinion in two weeks. Any suggestions before my appointment? Thanks. Sandeep from PA

 

Sandeep,

We are sorry you’ve had such stressful dental experiences with the local anesthetic and dental implant failure. We will offer suggestions to help you get needed care.

What If Lidocaine at the Dentist Doesn’t Work?

If lidocaine at the dentist doesn’t work for you, resistance to local anesthesia or high anxiety levels can prevent a dentist from numbing the area. Talk to your dentist about sedation options to help you relax before your appointment. Sedation can also dull your pain sensitivity.

What Can You Do About Dental Implant Failure?

When a dental implant has failed, we recommend getting a second opinion from a skilled implant dentist. Look for a provider with post-graduate training in implantology. The dentist will need a 3D CT scan to help determine the cause of implant failure. Perhaps you need bone grafting to build up your jawbone, allowing it to support a dental implant.

If a dentist forced your temporary crown on the implant, the force may have contributed to dental implant failure. If your dentist continues cooperating, you can request a refund.

Although the cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown, many incidents relate to dental trauma. When you find a gentle dentist who may use sedation to relax you during your visit, your burning mouth will likely calm down. Otherwise, speak with your new dentist about your concerns.

 

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post.