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I’m Disappointed in My Smile Makeover with Crowns

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I wanted a smile makeover and assumed I would get porcelain veneers. Instead, I have ten upper teeth covered by dental crowns. I am unsure whether I misunderstood my dentist or he misunderstood me and what I wanted. However, I now realize my dentist’s tooth preparation on my teeth was more aggressive for dental crowns than if I had veneers. I thought I told my dentist I didn’t want my teeth ground down. The crowns look good, but I didn’t want them. I feel like I’ve been tricked, but I am embarrassed that I was unaware of what my dentist was doing to my teeth. Would a second opinion help? Thank you. Graham from Newark, NJ

Graham,

Many dentists charge the same for porcelain crowns and veneers because they require the same work. Dentists frequently use dental crowns for cosmetic reasons.

Why Use Dental Crowns for a Smile Makeover?

Dental crown

A dental crown covers the entire tooth

A dentist may use crowns instead of porcelain veneers for a smile makeover when teeth are severely worn or decayed and too much tooth structure is missing for a porcelain veneer. If the tooth is weak or has fillings, a crown may be a better option.

Another possibility is that a dentist may be uncomfortable with porcelain veneers and prefer dental crowns. Porcelain veneers cover the fronts of teeth, whereas dental crowns cover the entire tooth. Although you already have crowns, you can ask your dentist to explain why he placed crowns instead of veneers. You cannot reverse your cosmetic dental work, but you deserve an explanation if you thought you were getting dental veneers.

You would not need a second opinion unless you were experiencing problems with the dental crowns.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Why Did I Need Root Canal Treatments After Porcelain Veneers

Posted on by writeradmin.

I had ten veneers placed on my upper teeth and the same number placed on my bottom. During the diagnostic stage, I was told everything was fine and there were no real risks involved. Since the procedure, I’ve had a lot of pain. My dentist made a few height adjustments, but that did not seem to help. Then, two of the teeth developed an abscess and, when he did the x-rays, it showed my nerves have died, even though they were fine before. Now I have had to have root canal treatments. I’m still in pain and worried more of my nerves will die. My dentist said he’s never had this happen with veneer crowns. What is going on?

Jayla

Dear Jayla,

The first thing I am wondering about is whether you actually received dental crowns instead of porcelain veneers. There are a couple of things that make me things this. First, you called them veneer crowns. That is not a thing. Either you have porcelain veneers or you have dental crowns. There is not a combination. A second inconsistency here is the height adjustments that were made. That is something done with dental crowns. Finally, it is the damage to the nerves.

The Difference in Preparation between Crowns and Veneers

tooth preparation for porcelain veneers.

Tooth preparation for porcelain veneers

When a tooth is prepared for porcelain veneers, there is hardly any of the tooth structure removed. Here is an example in the image above. Notice only the surface is affected. Now contrast this with the image below.

Preparation for a dental crown

Preparation for a Dental Crown

Notice with this tooth, much of the tooth structure had to be removed. It is a much more aggressive preparation and your nerves are at a greater risk as a result. I think this is the treatment you received.

One way to tell is by how far around the tooth your restoration is. With porcelain veneers, it just covers the very front of your teeth and will hug the sides slightly. But, with porcelain crowns, the restoration goes around your entire tooth, including the back.

If your dentist told you that you were getting porcelain veneers, but then gave you porcelain crowns, that is unethical. Plus, if the only reason for the restorations was a smile makeover, porcelain veneers are what you would do— not dental crowns. To be honest, I would tell your dentist he needs to cover the cost of the root canal treatments. I’m sorry this happened to you.

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