I work with a lab that will do a test unit, i.e., they make a single tooth that you can try in on your natural tooth to check the color before completing all of the veneers or crowns. There is a fee for this, my lab charges half of their regular crown lab fee .It is a great way to have a "test drive' of the color. There are underlying colors of natural teeth that can shine through a thin crown or veneer. If this happens with the test unit either the lab or your dentist can use materials to mask out the underlying color and get a better result. Good luck with your new smile!!
Yes there are alternatives to an implant. They would include a fixed bridge or a removable bridge. We often prefer implants because they do not depend on treatment for adjacent teeth and can be a stand alone procedure. The last option is always to take the tooth out and do nothign. the problem with that is it can result in tooth movement of adjacent teeth which can prove to be a long term problem that is expensive to fix. One option I offer my patients is to remove the tooth, plan for a future implant and make a space maintainer, could be removable or fixed at a lower cost to save the space for the implant until they can afford it. Hope this helps! Good Luck!
The best bet is to wear a mouthguard. If your bridges are "fixed", i.e., they have been cemented in the mouthguard should provide adequate protection. If they are meant to be removable it is a different situation. Good Luck!
This is a battle of communication. The key is an excellent lab that is open to input from the patient and dentist. Models and photos of the temporaries you liked should have been taken to try to get a result as close as possible to the temporaries. The lab can use such devices as a putty index made from the model of the temps showing exactly where the incisal edges should be and how thick they should be. One trick is to remove just one of the temps and try the new porcelain veneer in to see how closely it matches the adjacent temp.This all needs to happen before the veneers are cemented into place. Good luck, I hope you continue your journey to achieve the smile of your dreams! Bernice Szafarek DMD
Unfortunately there is no easy way to change the color without remaking the crowns. I often have my lab make a trial unit for color match since there are differences between the porcelain and the temporary materials. Sounds like this could have been helpful for you! You need to work with the denist to get a result that makes you smile! Bernice Szafarek DMD
