porcelain crowns Archives - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

May 20, 2016 by

How do I find the top dentist to help me determine if I need crowns or veneers? My dentist isn’t a cosmetic dentist but she suggested that I just get braces for my teeth. My teeth are twisted inward. Braces might be an option but I am not really interested in them. The other thing is that my teeth are smaller than normal adult teeth. I am 39 yrs old so there is no chance that the situation will improve. I don’t want just straight teeth. I want celebrity teeth. I am not the most attractive woman so I want my teeth to make up for my appearance. My dentist is trying to refer me to a colleague of hers who is a cosmetic dentist and graduated dental school with her, but I am worried that this is just the buddy system. The colleague might be a good dentist but I need some definite markers to help me choose the top dentist for the work that needs to be done to get my smile where I want it. Thanks much. Symone T.

Symone – Your concerns are valid. Although many dentists claim to be cosmetic dentists, not all of them have the training, skill, or artistic talent to produce the celebrity smile you want. In fact, very few dentists can produce that kind of smile. So you will have to do a little work to find the top dentist for your case.

In your search for the top dentist for your smile makeover, look for a cosmetic dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or who has high credentials in another association for aesthetic dentistry. Have a few consultations with cosmetic dentists. Find out how long each dentist has been practicing cosmetic dentistry, and ask to see before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours.

Braces are one solution to aligning your teeth. A combination of braces and gum contouring may produce the results you want. But so can porcelain veneers. Veneers will not only perfectly align your teeth, but they will also perfectly shape them. Porcelain crowns require more aggressive preparation of your natural teeth, so they are not the preferred option.

Ask each dentist about the pros and cons of your treatment options. Compare each cosmetic dentist’s work, experience, and credentials. And then you can make an informed decision about the top dentist for the celebrity smile you want.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

December 28, 2015 by

How long have porcelain crowns been around? I need crowns on both front center teeth and I have been to 3 different dentists and none of them can get the crowns right. The crowns are too big, too white, too thick, or too wide, or there is some other problem with them. It started with my dentist who just sounded like the whole thing would be a breeze. He has done crowns on front teeth before, although I don’t know how they looked on the patient. We went through several mock-ups and temps, but he just couldn’t get it right. So after I kept complaining, he referred me to a colleague who is a “cosmetic dentist” and she only slightly did a better job. So I went round and round with her and still got pasty white buck teeth crowns which I refused to let her cement on. After that I decided to find a dentist on my own and asked for recommendations from people in the office where I work. I got several recommendations and picked a dentist. We are in the mockup phase and the teeth look bad—again. So I’m done. But I can’t really be done can I, because I still need new crowns?! Is it nearly impossible to get crowns on front teeth that look good? I am totally frustrated. Any suggestions you have or a recommendation of a dentist would be great. Thanks. Tensie

Tensie – We understand your frustration and concern. When you smile, your front teeth are what others’ eyes focus on first. They need to look natural.

Placing beautiful, natural-looking crowns on front teeth is a challenge. It requires the skill of an artistic cosmetic dentist. The artistic dentist’s concerns are quality, looks, symmetry, and harmony. This means that the dental crowns you receive will match the characteristics of your surrounding teeth, fit well, look great, and look like they are your natural teeth. Only an artist can accomplish all of that.

It’s a good idea to ask for recommendations of a cosmetic dentist from friends and family members, but you also have to do a little homework. Is the dentist accredited? If not, has he or she received any recognition or awards for cosmetic dentistry? Does the dentist continue to participate in ongoing training? Does the dentist have a physical catalog or online gallery of before-and-after pictures for you to review?

Have consultations with two or three cosmetic dentists before you choose your next provider. Take the time to ask questions—and ask to see photos—before you make a final decision. With a little more time and careful research, you will find a dentist to give you beautiful crowns on your front teeth.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 27, 2015 by

How do you know if porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers will be recommended to restore your teeth? The answer depends on the condition of your teeth, the goals for your smile, your individual case, and the cosmetic dentist you choose.

Condition of your teeth – Are your teeth healthy, free from decay, and not worn down? Porcelain veneers cover only the front of your teeth and are bonded to healthy teeth. Teeth that are cracked, decayed, or badly down need to be protected with porcelain crowns.
Goals for your smile – Do you want a smile makeover, or to change the shape, size, alignment, or color of your teeth? These are things that porcelain veneers can accomplish for healthy teeth. They cover only the front of your teeth and require minimal tooth preparation. To accomplish these goals with porcelain crowns requires significant tooth reduction, because a crown covers the entire tooth from the gumline to the biting surface.
Your cosmetic dentist – After examining and taking diagnostic studies of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist may decide that a particular treatment will work best to restore your smile. The final decision is yours, though.
Your case – Every patient case is different. Porcelain veneers may work well for you, but porcelain crowns may be the preferred treatment for someone else. Budget may be a concern for some patients, and porcelain crowns are less expensive than porcelain veneers.

Be certain to find an experienced cosmetic dentist who takes the time to evaluate your case and anticipate the results you will get—in both function and beauty—depending on which treatment is used. You may consider getting more than one opinion. Be prepared to ask questions, take notes, and compare your options before deciding on a provider for your treatment.

Find an accredited cosmetic dentist. He or she has a proven history of creating beautiful smiles, even for difficult cases.

This post is sponsored by award-winning NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

July 31, 2012 by

I had two crowns done. One of them looks darker than the other. It is the tooth that had a root canal done on it and had turned darker. I spoke with my dentist about my concern with a color difference. He said not to worry about it he’d take care of it. He even took a picture of the teeth to show his lab the color difference. However, they still ended up different colors. Is there anything to be done about it or do I just have to live with it?

Sylvia S.- Sheridan, AR

Sylvia,

It sounds like your dentist doesn’t have the necessary cosmetic skill and experience to deal with your situation. It can be handled, but it needs to be done by a highly trained cosmetic dentist. There is something called an opaquer that can cover the darkness of your tooth. However, you still want the porcelain crown to look bright and translucent, which takes some skill when there is an opaquer underneath.

You have two options. Anyone who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) will be skilled enough to handle your case. If you can’t find an AACD accredited dentist (and there aren’t many of them because of the stringent requirements) you can also find highly skilled cosmetic dentists on the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend artistic cosmetic dentists by state. They also have high requirements, so you’re safe with any dentist there as well.

This blog is brought to you by New Jersey Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

September 15, 2011 by

My dentist says I need crowns on my front teeth. Will I still be able to play my trumpet?

Mark S.- Kansas City.

Mark,

What a great question. The answer is yes, IF they are done properly. The thickness and position of teeth not only affect your appearance, but your speech, your ability to sing, and your ease of playing an instrument. If they are not done properly, you may have to deal with a lisping or whistling sound. It is important you have your porcelain crowns ( or even porcelain veneers) done by an expert cosmetic dentist.

This blog is brought to you by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

July 26, 2011 by

First let me start by saying I absolutely love how I look with my new crowns. They make my smile so much more beautiful. The only problem I have is that it feels sort of gritty when my tongue touches them and it is driving me crazy. I’m used to the smoothness of my natural teeth. Is there anything I can do about this?

Gina L.- Wisconsin

Gina,

If your dentist put a glaze on your crowns, as he should have, there should not be that gritty feeling you’re describing. Porcelain crowns have a final layer baked on them that is a clear glaze and gives them a glass like finish that should feel as smooth as your natural teeth. One way to tell if this was done to your porcelain crowns is to dry the crown and try to write on it with a pencil. If you can leave a mark on your tooth, it did not get the final glaze.

Unfortunately it is too late to glaze it if that step was neglected once it has been placed. However, there are superfine diamond polishing products that can be used to make your crowns both feel and look as if they’ve been glazed. I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 15, 2011 by

Hello Dr. Hurley,

My dentist is placing a crown on my right rear molar. I asked him if he could use porcelain, and he told me that the crown have to be metal or gold, because there isn’t enough space between my teeth. I thought I read somewhere that metal takes up more space than porcelain. I prefer to have a porcelain crown instead of a metal one.

Thank you,
– Cynthia from Nebraska

Dear Cynthia,

If there is limited space in your mouth, then your dentist should use a metal crown. Porcelain crowns are in fact thicker than metal crowns, because they need to be strong enough to endure chewing.

Various options for metal are gold alloy or other alloys. The most common metal used is gold since it is corrosion-resistant, and it will fit better than any other type of metal crown. Metal crowns also last longer, because they are more durable. The only drawback is their metallic color. But since this is for a back molar, you should be fine. My recommendation is to choose a gold metal crown. It may cost more, but it will last much longer than any other metal.

See examples of crowns in my Smile Gallery, or read more about this procedure here.