Last week, my dentist insulted me by telling me that he would not replace the crowns on my four upper front teeth unless I got braces. He said the teeth are crooked and bucked, and crowns will not look right. I am 58 years old and have no intention of getting braces. Neither my teeth nor my smile makes me uncomfortable. I want the crowns replaced because they are more than 20 years old and fused to metal. They are discoloring, and I want to replace them and two old silver fillings before they look bad. Why does my dentist insist that I need braces and deny my patient rights by refusing treatment unless I get braces? – Thank you. Jerome from TN

Jerome,

You are correct. You have the right to new dental crowns without braces. But some dentists restrict treatment and will only complete it if it fits their ideal. A compassionate dentist understands that respecting a patient’s choice is part of showing that you care.

What to Do If Your Dentist Restricts Treatment Options

If your dentist restricts treatment options based on their preference only, talk to them about your concerns. For example, if you have no interest in braces and like your current dentist, explain that you will only accept crowns. You can find a sympathetic cosmetic dentist to replace your porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with natural-looking ceramic crowns.

You will enjoy ceramic crowns because they will not show a dark line around your gums, and they will look like natural teeth. Please do not pressure your current dentist for ceramic crowns, though. Ask what he recommends. If your dentist recommends more crowns with a metal foundation, it is another reason to find a skilled cosmetic dentist for treatment.

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist, and ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s patients who received new crowns on their front teeth. Placing front-teeth crowns is more challenging, so be sure to ask for several examples of cases like yours. You can replace your old amalgam fillings with composite and get new, all-ceramic crowns from an advanced cosmetic dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.