New top crowns bulky & pushing upper lip out. Is this normal?

Question

34M. Dentist suggested full set of crowns up top (~$23k) to fix gaps, yellowing, and chipped/worn teeth. After much back and forth and concerns about these issues in temps, the permanents still feel bulky and too far forward in my mouth. They've pushed my upper lip forward (negatively) and I can feel them pressing into my mouth. Shape is OK but faces look rounded. Is this normal/unavoidable? Can I get crowns that more closely mimic natural teeth, particularly their flatness (at least mine)?

Andy Shieh, DMD · Answer

Looking at your old original teeth, they were shorter and they slanted inward therefor your lip laid in certain feel and position for 30 some years. Now with your new crowns, they are longer AND they no longer slanted inward but they’re straight up and down (what we like to achieve with an ideal bite). However they’re slightly thicker so even if when you crowns are in the correct position and orientation, they will feel ackward to your lip feel and when you look in the mirror. For just being in their normal straight up and down orientation, that alone will make your lip feel different from your natural slanted inward teeth. On top of that, they’re slightly thicker so you have two things that exacerbated your new feel. Both you and your dentist could’ve prevented these issues had you discuss or brought up what you don’t want for your cosmetic crowns to your dentist prior to him ordering your crowns (you probably didn’t know and just left it up to the dentist to do his thing) or your dentist had asked you what you want and don’t want in your new smile as far as looks goes.  Having spent $23K is a huge investment for not being perfect, I’d recommend you share your concerns to your dentist immediately and hopefully he will redo them for you complementary or at least just charge you the lab fees for a new set. Your new set of crowns should be shorter and flatter which your dentist can easily specify on the lab prescription. Your dentist may need to file (prep) you’re teeth more to accommodate a flatter final shaped crowns.

Richard Gochman, DDS (retired) · Answer

I would assume that you had been asked about the these crowns before they were permanently cemented in. Discussions about position, shape, contour are usually done at the try in, and if necessary changes could be made to try and satisfy your wishes. 
Overall, your teeth look nice, and the 1 photo you presented of original teeth is NOT a good comparable photo, I would need to see more. 
I do prefer a flatter facial contour on the 4 front teeth personally. I would certainly express your concerns with your provider.

New top crowns bulky & pushing upper lip out. Is this normal?

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New top crowns bulky & pushing upper lip out. Is this normal?

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