What Should a Temporary Crown on Front Tooth Look Like?

Dear Justeen,

A Temporary crown should look like a normal tooth or at least close to it, but not like what you described, unless it was done hastefully.

It should look almost as good as the permanent crown....................................................

A temporary should look like the natural tooth. There are very good, strong materials to use with many different color choices.

Dentistry is art and science.  The artistic abilities of the dentist determine the appearance of the temporary.  Some dentists don't care what the temporary crown looks like.  

The same is true for permanent crowns.  Crowns fron labs can cost the dentist as little as $29 to several hundreds of dollars, the more expensive lab crowns usually cost the patient more.  When I do a single fron crown we frequently have the lab custom stain and glaze it inthe office with the patient present.  

How natural and well matched do you want your restoration and how difficult your teeth are too match are important considerations.  Two front crowns or a crown and veneer frequently give the best result over a single crown.

In my opinion, a temporary crown, on a front tooth especially, should look similar in shape and color to the natural surrounding teeth. If that is not the case, you should expect that the dentist is not a cosmetic dentist. Being interested in cosmetics and having the correct tools, materials plus advanced training is part of what makes a regular dentist a cosmetic dentist. If it is important that the tooth look better, I would think that a return visit to the office requesting a better match is your best option. Most dentists will honor such a request. As a consumer, you don't have to take the lowest level of service and results and accept it. Be reasonable but don't be miserable waiting for the permanent to come back from the lab. Speak to  your dentist about your concerns. I'm sure they will have an open mind.

Ideally, a temporary crown should be an exact/almost replica of the missing tooth but many a times dentists end up giving a temporary which is not done well. They give a (wrong)reason that it is temporary and will be replaced soon with a better permanent crown. Hope this answers your query.Regards

Your weren't clear.  Is this a temporary crown on a baby tooth that will be lost in the near future or on a permanent tooth?

In General the temporary crown on a front tooth that your dentist should look relatively close to the other natural teeth.  Size, shape and color should be close enough to natural so that his smile doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.  I'm sure the the appearance is reflective of the time, effort and skill of your son's dentist.  If your son has to go months before a final replacement is placed you might go back to the dentist and see if he/she is able to make a temporary that is more natural looking.  You're obviously not satisfied with the way he looks, so if the dentist can't meet your expectations consider consulting with another dentist.  Not every dentist has the same level of interest and skill.

Good luck,

Dr. Norm Huefner