I just got two dental implants for some teeth that got knocked out. The first time the crowns came in, I told him I thought the crowns were too dark. He told me he thought they looked fine. I told him I’d give it 24 hours, but if I didn’t like it then, I wanted him to send it back to the lab, especially because he had me go the lab personally so they could match my teeth. I did end up having him send them back. I even went back to the lab and showed them what I was unhappy with. The second pair came back worse than the first. My dentist feels I am being too picky, but said he’d be willing to send it back again. I’m the one who is hesitating now. Is it the lab that is the problem? Should I ask to switch labs?
Deanna K.- Parkhill, KS
Deanna,
The problem isn’t the lab, it is your dentist. There are bad labs, but expert cosmetic dentists know who they are and don’t use them. The fact that your dentist sent you to the lab is a big warning sign to me. Cosmetic dentists know much more about color matching than lab technicians. It is the dentist that should be giving detailed instructions to the lab about how to produce the look you are looking for.
Only a small percentage of dentists have the skill to be truly artistic with cosmetic work. I’m guessing you spent a small fortune to get this work done. You should definitely get two crowns you’re proud to wear. I suggest you look for someone in your area who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). There is a difference between membership and accreditation. Matching the porcelain crowns for your dental implants will be no problem at all for with that level of expertise. If there is no one close that is accredited, contact me again and I’ll try to help you locate someone qualified in your area.
This blog is brought to you by Boston Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Randall Burba.