I had eight dental crowns placed two decades ago. I wanted whiter crowns then they gave me but they insisted they wouldn’t look natural with the white color I wanted. Now, I want to replace them, this time getting the white color I’d always wanted. However, my new dentist said the whitest we should do is B1. The temporaries in that color are hardly whiter than what I have. His reasoning is that there are posts that would show through with a whiter color. I’m so disappointed. Before I have these permanently bonded on I want to see if there is a possibility I could get a BL4 without the posts showing. Just something a little brighter.

Sandy

Dear Sandy,

I don’t know who your dentist is, but I get the impression he isn’t really an expert cosmetic dentist. He is confusing color with translucency. If the posts are not seen through on a B1, they won’t be seen through the BL4 or if you want really white crowns, as it sounds you do, you could even get a BL1. I am not saying you have to switch dentists at this point, but I would insist your dentist give you the color you want for your porcelain crowns.

Additionally, you need to insist he do them with a temporary try-in paste and you get to see and approve them before they are permanently bonded on. If you don’t like them, they should go back to the lab until you do. Sometimes, it is helpful to have a friend with you during the try-in to give you courage and be a second set of eyes for you.

If he cannot or is unwilling to get them the way you want, then it will be time to switch dentists. If you do need to switch, the best cosmetic dentists are accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists have proven expertise and artistry. They will have not only the skill to give you the smile you wanted two decades ago, but the right mindset that it is about what kind of smile the patient wants that matters.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.