NEW PORCELAIN CROWN

Hello,
I recently had a new porcelain crown put on. In the process of shaving it down for a proper fit, the under metal, gold and other metal mixed, became exposed. So now I have a new porcelain crown with what looks like a filling on it.
I'm not satisfied with the work, as I feel that I'm paying a premium to get a crown that looks like a natural tooth, and not a tooth with, what might look like a filling or a cavity on it. When I asked the dentist about it, he was very casual about it and even made it sound as if it was my fault for the flaw, by saying that I bit down too hard when asked -- they ask you to bite down on a film marker so that they can grind it down to fit your bite.

My question is; Do I have grounds to ask ask the dentist to replace it, which I'll do? Or am I being too rigid here and should just let it go? Is this acceptable work from a dentist's perspective?

thanks

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

It depends on the situation.  There are certain conditions in which there isn't sufficient room for a porcelain fused to metal crown so metal may be placed on the biting surface instead of porcelain.  The porcelain and metal have to be a certain thickness to be strong enough to withstand chewing.  If there isn't sufficient room for both, then we usually will place metal on top.  Assuming that isn't the issue and that you got enough space, then a new crown should be done.  If the metal is exposed, that means there may be parts where the porcelain is thinner and more likely to break.  It sounds based upon your description that there may be a future issue with the crown.  I would bring up your concerns again with the dentist and see if it can be redone.

[ZICO10]

I greatly appreciate your reply.
The exposed metal isn't exactly on the chewing surface, it is on the side wall. Does that impact your answer.
I'll definitely address the matter with my dentist next week when I'll see him and ask for a replacement.
thanks again

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Any thinning of the porcelain with metal showing could potentially lead to fracture.  If the metal is showing around the collar of the crown though (along the gumline), it may not have as much of an effect on potential breakage though.