Is It Normal for Bottom Crowns to Be Darker Than Top Crowns?

The top and bottom crowns can definately be the same shade or very close to it. When discussing treatment if he had said that they would match, and now the finally result is different than exapected, I would think he would follow through with what he said. He should fix this for you and give you matching shades.

The color should have been checked at the time of try-in and it they did not match then they should have been sent back to the lab to be modified or re-made. In my opinion the excuse you were given is not a valid one. Yes, the lower teeth are smaller teeth but a good lab can achieve the desired color.

If this was my case and I notice that the color did not match after they have been cemented, I would not charge to remake them.

Good luck

Dr. T

There two reasons why your lower crowns may appear darker. One is merely the shadowing affect created by your lower lip and the teeth being farther back in your mouth... Just an illusion. The other is a true darker tooth caused by a darker natural tooth color under the zirconium crown. This is seen in people with root canal treated teeth with metal posts and also severe tetracycline staining. Even though zirconium crowns are the best all porcelain crowns over severely discolored teeth, they may appear darker next to a similar zirconium crown over a tooth that is not severely discolored.  Your dentist should be able to discuss these factors with you. There are ways to block out a severely discolored tooth so it doesn't cause your tooth to look darker.

Hank D. Michael, DMD is a dentist in Sarasota, FL