I need to replace six crowns. They were done by another dentist but I’ve since moved. I really loved them, but they’re old and need to be replaced. I want to replace them all at the same time. I don’t like the temps my new dentist has provided. They’re much more yellow than my old crowns and are shaped differently. I liked my other smile. When I told him I didn’t like the temporaries, he raised his voice and said he’s the dentist and they’re perfect. What do I do?
Kelly
Dear Kelly,
Your bumping up against the difference in philosophy between a standard dentist and a dentist who really invests in cosmetic dentistry. In dental school, we’re taught the dentist knows what is best. But, cosmetic work is different. You are creating a smile which the patient wants. The best cosmetic dentists are more interested in how the patients feel about their smile.
Your current dentist doesn’t understand this. He’s not going to work with you. If I were in your place, I’d go to a different dentist to get this finished. Your current dentist is ethically obligated to pass on all your diagnostics, etc. to the new dentist.
Finding the Best Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. It is up to the dentist how much training they get after they graduate dental school. When you are talking about a smile makeover, you want the best cosmetic dentist possible. These are the dentists who take their craft seriously.
They’ve done significant post-graduate training and have an artistic eye. In your place, I’d look for an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country. Through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, they’ve passed stringent exams which test their technical knowledge. They also have to provide visual evidence of a large number of cases they’ve done in order to gauge their artistry.
I hope this helps you. This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.