Can a Crown Be Reshaped?

Question

I recently had two new crowns placed on my #10 teeth. I had veneers before &truly loved the look of it, however, my new dentist recommended that I get crowns instead since they both have RCT done on them. My new crowns fit great however, the face of the crowns are so rounded that when I smile in a photo, it looks like my two crowned teeth are barely there. Since they are rounded and not flat like my natural teeth, light does not reflect on them in an appealing way. Can they be reshaped&polish

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Wow, great question and great information. Some minor reshaping can be done on most crowns; however, it is extremely difficult to restore the finish to an extensively adjusted crown. It's a shame that the natural contours of the adjacent teeth weren't mimicked in your new crowns. In my office, we would have solicited your approval BEFORE cementing the crowns but even if you were not satisfied after giving approval we would more than likely redo the crowns at no cost to you. It's so important that the doctor/patient relationship is open, honest and trusting. Discuss this with your dentist and I'm pretty sure they will have the same general policy as we do.

	Good luck and don't settle for mediocrity.

Daniel Beninato, DDS · Answer

It is possible to re-shape a ceramic crown, however the question that needs to be addressed is whether the re-shaping will result in a lower glaze that may not be cosmetically pleasing.  If to much reshaping is necessary, it may be a wiser alternative to have the crowns remade.  Make sure that you discuss your concerns with your dentist so that communication with the lab is correct.

Marc Zive, DMD · Answer

It is far easier to round off a flat or squared area than the reverse.  Said another way, it is easier to remove a little material than put it back.

	It is critical that the lab technician consider the contours of the adjacent teeth when designing a veneer or crown so they are mimicked accordingly.  In our office we always try the restorations in and have the patient examine the look in a mirror prior to permanent cementation.  In some aesthetic cases we may place the restorations with a temporary adhesive so the patient can have their spouse or partner get a look before making things permanent.

	You probably will need to have the crowns removed and replaced.  If you have a picture of the former veneers or a dental study model that includes the veneers in place, the lab can use them to make a more accurate reproduction.  You can also have the dentist place and modify temporaries until you get the desired aesthetic result, take an impression of the temporaries and have the lab use that information to duplicate the look in the new crowns.

Mitchell A. Josephs, DDS · Answer

they can be contoured with diamond drills, but this will not change the tranluscency and might make them worse.

	I would do them over again and go see the ceramist at the dental lab face to face. Tell  him what you want. Make sure you are happy with the shape of the temproary crowns first. Then photo graph them and take a mould of them for the lab to copy in the design of the permanent crowns.

Keith Blankenship, DDS · Answer

Yes Crowns can be reshaped. However, it is nicer if the crowns are reshaped prior to permanent cementing. This way, if a good deal of reshaping is performed, the vrown can be sent back to the lab and re-glazed to give it the natural appearance that it originally had prior to reshaping. We can polish the crown after reshaping and it will look good, but sending to the lab for re-glazing is best.

Can a Crown Be Reshaped?

Answers (8)

Answer: Fixing crowns

Answer: Fixing crowns

Answer: ReShaping Dental Crowns

Answer: ReShaping Dental Crowns

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Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can a Crown Be Reshaped?

Answers (8)

Answer: Fixing crowns

Answer: Fixing crowns

Answer: ReShaping Dental Crowns

Answer: ReShaping Dental Crowns

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.