Dentist Lied About Her Dental Crowns

I’m a bit distraught at the moment. I needed to get six porcelain crowns on my front teeth. I told my dentist I wanted all-porcelain crowns. He said he’d try but not every bite can have that. When he put them on and I was looking at them, I noticed the backs were silver. He then told me he realized he wasn’t able to do the porcelain ones so he gave me metal-based crowns instead. While they look okay, I’m sure they don’t look as well as the all-porcelain ones I wanted. Plus, I know that the gray line is going to show up at some point. After all this money, I want a smile I can be proud of. Is there anything I can do or was this dentist right?

Lisa Anne

Dear Lisa Anne,

Your dentist bonded these crowns in without your permission. You were expecting all-porcelain crowns and he can’t change the treatment plan without your permission. This gives you some good leverage, but you may have to be tough if he’s the type of dentist I suspect he is.

He obviously doesn’t understand cosmetic work at all. I don’t know a skilled cosmetic dentist who would think putting metal-based crowns on front teeth is a good idea. Unfortunately, it is very obvious to me your dentist isn’t in that category. He is of the traditional general dental school where the dentist knows best.

Almost all of the time, it is possible to place porcelain crowns. There certain bites which the crowns will wear down the opposing teeth. Even then, you don’t have to have metal-based crowns. Instead, your dentist could have placed Empress crowns. These will not cause any wear on your bottom teeth.

Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist to Fix This

The first thing you’ll need to do is secure a refund. I wouldn’t trust your dentist to re-do the crowns in a way you’ll be totally happy with. You have the right to a refund because you did not get to give informed consent. If he doesn’t agree, let him know you’ll be speaking with the dental board and a lawyer. That should sober him up.

After you’ve secured your money back, the next thing is finding a great cosmetic dentist. The mynewsmile.com website screens cosmetic dentists who want to be listed. They check them for both their technical knowledge and their artistic skill. Any one of them can give you a stunning smile. I would go to one of them to have your porcelain crowns done. Many of them even have a beautiful smile guarantee.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Warren Krutchick.