Parental dental tips

Porcelain dental crowns can transform an otherwise unspectacular smile into one that captures the attention of anyone in the vicinity. The lifespan of damaged or worn teeth can be extended by capping them with porcelain crowns. However, some patients are not always completely comfortable with how their dental crowns look--at least at first.

They may appear too long or bulky when compared to the other natural teeth. In some cases, they may also differ in shape from the other teeth. As a patient, this can be distressing. You should be feeling ecstatic and excited about your newly restored teeth, not paranoid. Fortunately, porcelain crowns can be shortened and reshaped if necessary.

You May Simply Need Time to Adjust to Them

Before you take any further action, make sure you understand the anatomy of teeth. For example, if your crowned teeth are the two central or lower incisors, bear in mind that these teeth are always slightly longer than their neighbours. Likewise, the canines, which are the four pointed teeth used for tearing meat for example, should also be longer than their neighbours.

This doesn't mean that you are wrong. The crowns may indeed be longer than you remember your natural teeth being. However, if you aren't 100% certain, try waiting 2-3 weeks. You may come to like the appearance. If, by the end of that period, you are still unhappy, then by all means, your dentist should be able to shorten or reshape them for you.

Dental Crowns Can Be Shortened

If your crowns are all-porcelain, then your cosmetic dentist can easily polish and reshape them to your desired length. They can also ensure that the glazed finish of your crowns is not disturbed in the process. However, if your dental crowns are of the porcelain fused-to-metal variety, then the whole process is slightly more difficult.

Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns require great skill to adjust. There is usually 1-3mm of porcelain between the metal and the surface of a porcelain crown. If too much porcelain is removed, the metal interior of the crown will interfere with its appearance. The surface will become darker, in other words. Bear this in mind when seeking to have your dental crowns lengthened.

Ideally, you should always carefully examine any dental restorations before you commit to them. If your cosmetic dentist did not first show you a model of what your crowns would look like beforehand, then they are obliged to restore your crowns free of charge. Otherwise, you will need to pay a charge to have them shortened.

For more information, contact a local cosmetic dentist.