I got a crown & implants — last 3 teeth upper back. The implant crown is a double for stability. Now a fairly substantial visible metal line shows along my gums when I laugh — clearly indicating they are fake. They appear shorter than the other side. I thought they were supposed to look just like real teeth. I paid a LOT of money for these & am really disappointed. Is there something that can be done to improve their appearance. Should I pay for it? Other teeth need work. Should I go elsewhere?
October 5, 2012
Answer: Metal line at gumline of implant crowns is not always a problem
The best crowns for implants are porcelain fused to metal crowns. They have metal underneath for strength and porcelain on top for looks. Many good dentists and labs leave a small collar of metal on the non-visible side because it is more polished and kinder to the gums. It attracts less plaque and bacteria and it is easier to clean. If this is the case then it is possible to re-make the crowns without the metal collar. As to who pays for it; this can vary between dentists. I would like my patients to be happy and I charge a pretty high fee for the best possible work I can deliver. So I would re-do them at no cost. Others may charge the lab fee only, and others may elect to charge full fee again (but you may not go back to them).
There may be another reason for the metal showing: the abutments or implants themselves (which are titanium) may be visible above the gum. If this is the case, then the abutments may have to be changed out (this is the post that sticks out from the gum). If the implants themselves are the ones, then this is not fixable, since you would have to have the implants removed and replaced deeper under the gums. This would contraindicated because it would cause bone destruction compromising the placement of new implants.
Good luck
Dr. T
Helpful
October 5, 2012
Answer: Metal line at gumline of implant crowns is not always a problem
The best crowns for implants are porcelain fused to metal crowns. They have metal underneath for strength and porcelain on top for looks. Many good dentists and labs leave a small collar of metal on the non-visible side because it is more polished and kinder to the gums. It attracts less plaque and bacteria and it is easier to clean. If this is the case then it is possible to re-make the crowns without the metal collar. As to who pays for it; this can vary between dentists. I would like my patients to be happy and I charge a pretty high fee for the best possible work I can deliver. So I would re-do them at no cost. Others may charge the lab fee only, and others may elect to charge full fee again (but you may not go back to them).
There may be another reason for the metal showing: the abutments or implants themselves (which are titanium) may be visible above the gum. If this is the case, then the abutments may have to be changed out (this is the post that sticks out from the gum). If the implants themselves are the ones, then this is not fixable, since you would have to have the implants removed and replaced deeper under the gums. This would contraindicated because it would cause bone destruction compromising the placement of new implants.
Good luck
Dr. T
Helpful