Can a Crown Be Reshaped?

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.

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.

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.