Can you help me? I feel like every time I get over one gut punch with this smile makeover another one hits me. I had six porcelain crowns placed. First, I was disappointed with the results. I asked for them to be really white. When they came back they had what looked like some discoloration on them. He told me that was so they looked like natural teeth and not fake. By then, he had already bonded them on so there was nothing I could do about that. At first, I cried all the time. I mean, if I’d have wanted stained teeth, I could have just left my own as they were. Now, after just over six months, they second punch comes and the crowns are turning yellow. I do drink coffee, but I did that before I had the crowns placed. My dentist never mentioned that would be a problem. Is there anything I can do to get these whitish again.

Eden

Dear Eden,

I’m sorry this happened to you. It sounds like your dentist is more of a general dentist than a cosmetic dentist. I am curious why he provided you with dental crowns instead of porcelain veneers, which is the standard for a smile makeover. You didn’t mention needing dental crowns for a clinical reason. Sometimes dentists who do not know how to do porcelain veneers will steer their patients toward porcelain crowns instead, which they are familiar with.

The staining he ordered is also an indication that he is not a true cosmetic dentist. People get smile makeovers because they want their teeth to look phenomenal, not just like everyone elses. He should have addressed your concerns.

Why Are They Staining?

As to why they are staining, they shouldn’t be. Porcelain is actually more stain resistant than natural tooth structure. The timing of these stains are enlightening to me. You said it had been a little over six months. This is enough time for you to have gotten your next dental cleaning.

As I already suspect that your dentist does not know much about cosmetic work, it is likely he or she has not taught the hygienists about the precautions to take in their cleanings. If they used anything like a Power Prophy Jet or acidulated fluoride during your appointment, it would remove the glazing from the crowns. That glaze is what is makes it so stain resistant. Without that, your crowns have no protection and will quickly begin to pick up stains.

I recommend you get a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist and have them verify what happened to the crowns. If your glaze is missing, your dentist needs to take responsibility for this and repair or replace your crowns.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.