What can I do to cosmetically blend a front tooth crown without getting veneers but be more esthetically pleasing? (Photos)

Question

I got a crown done about 2 years ago because I've had bonding done to a chipped tooth. I didn't need the crown because the chip was only about 25% of my tooth if that. The chip was small idk why I wanted a permanent fix well I guess because I didn't want to have to continually deal with bonding but I should've waited til I was a little older being that I'm only 28. The bonding was just like 9 years old when i noticed the discoloration but the crown is worse. Any suggestions?

Jennifer Ebner, DDS · Answer

Be aware that a perfect match today will not be a perfect match in 5 years, 10 years etc. 
Teeth change in size and shape overtime. While the ceramics we are using today to make crowns will wear over time, it is much less that enamel and they will not change color at all. Before you spend out of pocket to get the perfectly matched crown, keep the above in mind. Your dissatisfaction might return as your teeth change and the crown doesn't. And, everytime a crown is replaced, the tooth loses a bit more structure. 
Short of veneering the surrounding teeth, a perfect match, overtime, is unlikely. 
Good luck!
Dr Ebner

Joseph H. Hidalgo, DDS · Answer

Tammy, I am sorry you are having issues with your crown. It is very difficult to fully match one crown to a front tooth. But it can be done. I cannot tell from your picture if you have an all porcelain crown or a porcelain fused to metal crown. It may be all porcelain but not sure. From what I can see your crown appears slightly larger or over bulked compared to the adjacent tooth we will call #9. The best way to treat this issue is to use an Emax all porcelain crown that is custom shaded to your adjacent tooth #9. Custom shade means you go to the dental lab and they take your shade personally. This is the only way to guarantee the crown will match your other tooth shade. As to the bulkiness, sometimes we dentists do not remove enough tooth structure to allow for adequate thickness of porcelain and the lab has to make it slightly larger. Sometimes as young as you are, the dentist cannot remove enough tooth structure for fear of hitting the nerve. Sometimes you have to compromise so as to not damage the underlying tooth. Your dentist may had to do this compromise. This type of dentistry may cost a bit more than your average crown but it is well worth it since this is one of your front teeth. Hope this helps. :)

Peter J. Drews, DDS, MAGD · Answer

In your question, is it your right front tooth that is crowned?  What do you not like about your teeth?  From your photos what is the discoloration you are unhappy with at this time?

Edward L. Loev, DMD · Answer

Unfortunately the only way to predictably control the esthetics would be to fabricate a new porcelain crown and possible bond the other central incisor to match or cover the other central with a porcelain veneer

What can I do to cosmetically blend a front tooth crown without getting veneers but be more esthetically pleasing? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Discolored crown

Answer: Discolored crown

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What can I do to cosmetically blend a front tooth crown without getting veneers but be more esthetically pleasing? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Discolored crown

Answer: Discolored crown

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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.