same day crowns Archives

My Dentist Ruined My Same-Day Crown

Posted on February 24, 2022 by AllSmiles.

In January, my dentist placed same-day crowns on my left first and second molar tooth. One of the crowns fell off, so my dentist cemented it on and ground it down to correct the bite. Within two weeks the back side of the crown (closest to my tongue) broke. I think she was too aggressive with that grinding tool. And now I feel a weird sensation when I chew on that side of my mouth. Am I going to need new crowns? If so, it defeats the purpose of getting same-day crowns. Now, I will need another office visit! Thank you. LJ from Seattle

LJ,

Thanks for your inquiry.

Should a Dentist Grind on Your Crowns?

Dentists commonly adjust a new crown to your bite by grinding or filing it down. But the dentist must check your bite in intervals to ensure that not too much—or too little—of the crown is adjusted. But these are small adjustments. And your dentist will shape and smooth the crown to prevent it from feeling rough.

But we are concerned about several aspects of your experience.

Loose crowns – A permanent crown should not loosen or fall off. Your dentist might have aggressively prepared your tooth or bonded the crown incorrectly.
Adjusting your bite – A dentist should adjust your bite and crown when placing it. It is not common to adjust the crown after recementing it. Something went wrong in the process. But your dentist must explain why she made the adjustment.
Broken crown – A crown should not break from conservative bonding. Dr. Reddy would need to examine your crown, but it seems that it is now dangerously thin.
Affecting your bite – The adjustments are affecting your bite, which can cause multiple issues that lead to TMJ symptoms.

Your dentist should compensate you. And we recommend that you schedule a second-opinion appointment with a cosmetic dentist trained in occlusion and bite.

Dr. Rekha Reddy, a Dallas, Texas dentist, sponsors this post.

How Did I Get a Cavity Beneath My Same-Day Crown?

Posted on November 30, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I’ve had my three same-day crowns for 3 years. One of the three crowns has a cavity beneath it. I was very surprised when my dentist told me that I have a cavity beneath the crown. I thought the crown was going to protect my teeth from future decay. How could this happen? Will my insurance pay for this if I need a new crown? – Yasmin from Michigan

Yasmin – It is unusual to have a cavity beneath a crown after only four years. Dr. Reddy would need to examine your crown and tooth to determine why you have a cavity. But we can provide some basic information about a cavity beneath a crown.

How Can You Have a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Same-day crown computer, scanner, and milling maching

Same-day crown technology helps a trained dentist replace your crown

It is unusual to have a cavity beneath a crown. But in can occur. What some possible causes?

Tooth decay not removed – If a dentist covers a tooth with a crown without removing decay thoroughly, you might develop a cavity.
Gap at the margin – Your dentist must ensure that the marge where your tooth and crown meet is closed and smooth. Even a small gap allows bacteria to creep in. Plaque can build up and promote decay.

Check with your insurance company regarding benefits for replacing the crown. Many of them expect the crown to last at least five years. If replacement is needed sooner than that, the insurance company will ask for documentation from your dentist to determine if they will provide benefits. But whether you need a new crown depends on its condition. Your dentist may be able to remove the decay and keep the crown intact.

If your current dentist does not use same-day crown technology, a lab can make a new crown for you. Otherwise, you can look for a cosmetic dentist who makes crowns while you wait.

Dr. Rekha Reddy of Dallas, TX, sponsors this post.

Dentist can’t match my crown after three tries

Posted on January 13, 2021 by AllSmiles.

My schedule is so tight that I decided to a same-day crown at a local dentist near my job. The crown is for a right lateral incisor. The dentist was so confident that she could do a perfect match, but the crown does not match. She replaced the crown twice, each time with the wrong color. During my last visit, the dentist told me to be happy that I could get the tooth fixed in a day. But my tooth isn’t fixed. I just want this obvious mismatch corrected. Am I asking being unreasonable? – Thank you, Leighanne

Leighanne,

We understand your disappointment. Your dentist made it seem as if you are asking for too much to have your crown match your other teeth. A match is essential for a front tooth, especially if you want to feel comfortable about your smile.

Matching a dental crown for a front tooth

It takes skill and patience for a dentist to achieve a perfect match for a crown on a front tooth. And it becomes more challenging to achieve the match with a same-day crown—especially if the dentist does not understand techniques for doing any aesthetic touchups to the crown. It is normal to try-in the crown two or three times to ensure a perfect match. But a real cosmetic dentist will not give up and tell you to be happy with the results.

We guess that your dentist uses a Vita shade guide and is frustrated because the shade guide isn’t achieving a match. But an advanced cosmetic dentist would take these steps to achieve a match with a crown:

Work with a master dental ceramist to craft a highly aesthetic crown
Draw a color map for the ceramist
Provide written instructions that specify a basic shade
Draw areas where the ceramist would need to add tints to exactly match your natural teeth
Try-in the crown when it arrives to check for color and take pictures of your teeth
Communicate discrepancies with the ceramist and send photos
Cement the crown only when the try-in is successful and you’re sure that the color match is exactly what you want

Get a second opinion

Same-day crown technology helps a trained dentist to precisely fit your crown

Although same-day crowns offer convenience and a metal-free alternative, if your dentist doesn’t know how to get a close match to your natural teeth with the crown, you are wasting time and money. Many dentists do not have much training in cosmetic dentistry beyond dental school. Don’t be surprised if a cosmetic dentist recommends a custom crown from a ceramist to give you beautiful results. We recommend that you find a cosmetic dentist to examine your crown and explain your options for matching a crown to your tooth shade.

Dr. Rekha Reddy of Dallas, TX, sponsors this post.

Why Are Her Gums Burning After Getting CEREC Crowns?

Posted on September 28, 2020 by AllSmiles.

I needed six front teeth repaired, so my dentist recommended crowns. I asked my dentist for CEREC crowns. When my dentist placed temporary crowns on my front teeth, they felt horrible, and there was leakage. The dentist took the temps off and did a fluoride treatment. He said everything looked okay. When I received my crowns, the bite was off. My dentist filed on the crowns a lot, and they felt okay. But whenever I drank something, I could feel the fluid rushing through the crowns. My dentist took the crowns off and gave me temporaries again. My new crowns were ready in two weeks. Now my gums are burning, and my teeth are sensitive. I’m supposed to go back to the office for a checkup and to have the crowns cemented on. What’s going on? I wish I could give the crowns back to my dentist, but my teeth are nubs. – Thanks. Clarise

Clarise,

Same-day crown technology helps a trained dentist to precisely fit your crown

We don’t know about the conversation you had with your dentist, but you did not receive CEREC crowns. What was your dentist’s response after you requested CEREC? CEREC same-day crowns are made in the dentist’s office, and you don’t need to wear temporary crowns. Although six CERIC crowns would likely require another appointment, you describe the process for traditional, lab-made crowns. But at this point, we’re concerned about the crowns you have now.

Don’t let your dentist permanently cement them until you’re comfortable. We recommend that you call the dental office and tell them that you don’t want your crowns cemented.

What’s the Cause of Burning Gums?

If your gums weren’t burning until you received the crowns, not only are they not CEREC crowns, but they may also be porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. If so, it could mean that you’re allergic to the metal foundation in the crowns. Insist that your dentist tells you the composition of the crowns and the metal. A dentist receives a dental alloy certificate from the lab with information on the metal alloy composition. If your crowns are all ceramic, you still need to know why your gums are burning.

A complete smile makeover with crowns is aggressive treatment. Your dentist’s way of handling your case strongly suggests that your case is beyond his skill and experience. Placing six crowns on front teeth is much more complicated than doing crowns on one or two teeth. Your bite is off, and the crowns are leaky. But a fluoride treatment wouldn’t help because it’s not an antibacterial rinse. Peroxide or chlorhexidine is more appropriate.

If you’re comfortable asking your dentist to cement the new crowns temporarily, please do so. But start searching for an advanced cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Please don’t allow any dentist to cement your crowns before you’re comfortable with how they look and feel.

Dr. Rekha Reddy of Dallas, TX, sponsors this post.

How to Tell If Same-Day Crowns Are Causing Your Dry Mouth and Neck Pain

Posted on January 6, 2020 by AllSmiles.

In January I received same-day crowns to close a large gap. My dentist placed the crowns on six upper front teeth. Since that time my mouth doesn’t close well, and the crowns interfere with my speech. I think that the tension from it all is causing dry mouth and sore lips. I’m so tense that my jaw and neck hurt, too. I don’t understand why this is happening. I’ve complained to my dentist, but her adjustments haven’t helped at all. Will removing the crowns resolve it? – Thanks. Frankie from Athens, GA

Frankie,

It’s good that you’re seeking advice. Although Dr. Reddy would need to examine your crowns for a definite diagnosis, the crowns are likely the cause of the issues you described.

Well-made same day crowns don’t cause oral health issues

Dental crowns should not cause pain, dry mouth, or issues with your speech. Your descriptions sound like your new crowns opened your bit too much.

What’s Causing the Issues with Your Same-Day Crowns?

Your one-visit crowns might be too thick, too long—or both. Your lips should close naturally without effort. When crowns interfere with your mouth and teeth, the problems you’ve described can occur. And the consequences are serious enough to affect your oral health and contribute to other problems.

Lip incompetence – When your teeth prevent your lips from closing naturally without your effort, it results in lip incompetence, including numbness and dry mouth. If your mouth doesn’t close properly, it interrupts saliva flow that contains antibodies that fight tooth decay. Dry mouth interrupts saliva breeds bacteria that leads to tooth decay.
Misaligned bite – When your bite—the way your upper and lower teeth fit together—is off, it can cause speech problems and jaw and neck pain.

We recommend that you visit a cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. When multiple crowns are placed on successive teeth, many dentists have difficulty achieving the right fit and bite. An advanced cosmetic dentist will examine your crowns and let you know your options for correcting crown placement or replacing them altogether.

Dentist, Dr. Rekha Reddy of Dallas, TX, sponsors this post

Dental Loft

Should a Dentist Grind on Your Crowns?

How Can You Have a Cavity Beneath a Crown?

Matching a dental crown for a front tooth

Get a second opinion

What’s the Cause of Burning Gums?

What’s Causing the Issues with Your Same-Day Crowns?