New Crown problem - Dental Health

by Poobah, Dec 24, 2007 11:25PM

I am sorry that your crown doesn't match your other tooth. You are not being vain, believe me. I had all my upper teeth crowned 2 wks ago, and when the Dr put them in, they were completely a different color than my bottom teeth were! I was terrified, and told him right then and there. He said that he took the color from my bottom middle teeth, which are slightly gray, to do the whole bunch! But the rest of my teeth (bottom) were not gray, and were a decent white color. So here I am with a mouth full of sickly gray teeth. Well he fixed them, so to say. They looked better than the first time, and I accepted them. For some reason, he could not find the permanant glue and put temp. glue on instead. Thank God! Because when I got home, I realized that he had just doctored up the old color that was already there. I can still see gray. To make a long story short, I went back to my dentist again and told him that I DID NOT like the color. He tried to convince me that they were a perfect match, but I said NO they aren't. That I looked at them from different angles, and in different lighting and they are NOT the same color at all. So he is going to change them for me. I hope your dentist will do the same for you. Only thing is, that your crown was probably already put in permanantely. But if the dentist is honest, he should re-do it for you. It will only damage him in the long run, seeing that you will not be giving him good advertising, right?

Again I'm sorry. Let us know if he changes his mind!

by Kooyong, Dec 25, 2007 03:53AM

To: Teresa56

Insist on your dissatisfaction to the point of issuing a letter from an attorney (get Legal Aid in your state if a private one is too expensive or if they won't do it for a minimal cost) with a promise to contact the Dental Board of Examiners in your state regarding your claim and complaint. That should put things into perspective. Shameful of that dentist, he should raise his game and do the right thing. Demand your rights girl. Good luck.

by brcdmd, Dec 25, 2007 01:18PM

Sorry for your frustration. Matching a single anterior crown to what otherwise is a natural dentition is the single hardest task a dentist does, aside from dealing with alarmist, litigous, sensationalistic people like kooyong. You are literally trying to hand-craft (second-hand, mind you) a crown to look like something that is not man made. The creamist has a very difficult job. So does the dentist. Now I will admit some put a lot more effort in to getting it right than others. I would want to know a few things. First, did he take any digital images of the rest of the teeth to send to the lab technician? Did he send you to the technician in person for a shade evaluation? Did he use any color-correcting lights or shade matching devices? You can tell a lot about how much your dentist cares by their concern for your problem...whether they agree with you or not...and by the effort they put in to insuring the shade is correct from the get go. I employ all these tricks from time to time but still don't get it exactly right all the time. It is not an exact science, nor should you have expectations of an exact match. If you look closely enough, you will always find something you can criticize. The key is to get you something you feel is worth all the money you have spent on it. My advice is this. Simply explain your dissatisfaction kindly to the dentist. You get more flies with honey than with vinegar, or attorney letters...which I can tell you don't scare dentists. It may be an issue of lighting...looks good in the office but bad at home. Unfortunately, sometimes you can't have it both ways...a downfall of the material. It could also be a material issue...meaning you need an all-ceramic crown instead of a porcelain fused over metal crown (if that is what you have). Some materials make it easier to get an esthetically pleasing result. Just be nice about it, explain your concerns, and see what happens. YOUR dissatisfaction should be enough to warrent changing the shade. However, you should not let him cement something in your mouth if you are not satisfied. Don't be bullied until you have seen the crown, approve it yourself, and are happy. Then, and only then, should they cement it. And don't listen to that other **** about letters from attorneys. Resolve your conflict like a civilized human being. All the best this Christmas

by Teresa56, Dec 25, 2007 11:39PM

Thanks for your comments everyone.First of all I had a good attitude and no reason to distrust him. There were no warning rules posted that this or that may happen, except tp pay now or else.If it is not an exact science, shouldn't that have been explained instead of a cavalier attitude of oh hell yeah I can fix you up just fine. I was completely assured that he could match my other blinding white teeth- his words not mine. NP You will be happy and you must have this done! Thus far I had a chipped front tooth and I was freaked out over that ( job interviews scheduled around his magical promises)so I trusted him enough to let him go on. No he did not send me to a technician for color shading- was I supposed to know that? He had a strip of shades similiar to what somes in a color whitening kit.No color correcting lights that I know of but then again the NitrousOxide had hold of me so he could have cemented a fake nose on me at that point.Did he take dental images? He did xrays and did the mold thing twice because I bit down wrong the first time.No I was not happy when I saw the final crown(commented that it wasn't matched perfectly but he said it was the top white shade ... but how was I supposed to know to examine it in all forms of light before he put it in cement???? He didn't offer a walk in the park to examine his work. He just kept saying well your other tooth is more transparent ..(yeah yeah I got that part )and we may need to crown it too( it's a healthy tooth ) I was already bullied by his promises and those of his young, arrogant dentist son and two assistants... of crown perfection so too late for that. Totally at the mercy of him. And I am sorry but I DO look closely at my mouth and pay attention to my teeth and I find great fault with his bang up job. He has many patients who don't care what their teeth look like..they only come in when something hurts.. I care what my teeth look like because I would like to SMILE. I am however a person who would only persue legal procedures as a last resort because I don't have much faith on lawyers either.If it is an issue of lighting, should I stay out of the sunlight as one sarcastic sibling suggested? Please. And why is it dark at the top? Is he going to suggest veneers next since I am so unhappy? More money.It sucks. I have a mother who is dying , last stage from Alzheimers and I am her only caretaker, gave up my job to take care of her and even with her brain caving in daily and not knowing who she is or me, she has said what's wrong with your tooth, you need to brush it, it's all yellow..Is that why you can't smile? Talk about that at the next dental convention because it goes way past vanity, money and lawsuits.I AM a civilized human being. Aren't dentists also civilized human beings as well and if so why aren't they concerned about being sued should it come to that point? My dissatifaction SHOULD be enough for him to make it right or give me my money back so I can go to a real dentist who can fix it but I doubt that will happen. I have already expressed my unhappiness and he stand s firm that it matches, .looks great and pats himself on his back, job well done.,..yeah it is an improvement over the temporarybuckybananayellow one but not much. ( Tells me I am a perfectionist...yeah maybe so at a 1000 a tooth) If I had a lot of money, I would be tempted to tell him my true thoughts about his dental ego and abilities and tell him to BITE ME because so far, I am sorry, he has taken a real bite out of my self image and bank account.
I will start with kindness but I need to smile for my dying mother and for me. It makes the saying"all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" take on a whole new meaning..I'd settle for ONE tooth and a dentist with some integrity.

by Teresa56, Dec 25, 2007 11:46PM

To: poobah

Tell me how it goes. Thank you for writing. Helps to know I am not the only one. Tell me what you had to pay to get it fixed. Good luck.

by Kooyong, Dec 25, 2007 11:47PM

To: brcdmd

Excuse me, my comments to suggest a letter from an attorney were made on the premise that satisfaction could not be worked out otherwise. I'm contributing to this forum to assist others and do not appreciate my efforts being referred to as ********.

by Teresa56, Dec 25, 2007 11:56PM

To: Kooyong

NP. I understand completely and I had not thought of that as a possibility. I appreciate it and am not offended in any way, Dentists are just as accountable as any other medical professionals. I am not a lawsiut freak bit there are times when it is appropropriate and people need to take responsibility for their promises and work. I am open to all support.

by Kooyong, Dec 26, 2007 12:12AM

To: Teresa56

It only takes one look in proper lighting to know whether the dentist has gotten right or not. It should be pretty simple. It boils down to whether or not you are satisfied. My dentist redid four caps on my upper teeth after I told him I wasn't satisfied with the color. He even offered to have seven others redone on my lower teeth if I wasn't 100% pleased with them. My advice is to stand firm and confident in your assessment and pursue excellence and integrity however slim that prospect may appear.

by Teresa56, Dec 26, 2007 12:26AM

To: Kooyong

Good to hear that. There is a woman who works in his office whose husband had the same problem and she told me there is nothing that can be done. She herself has a few missing teeth so already I can't identify with her. I am going in and standing firm. I am in a small , sorry if it offend anyone but a reneck town...we speak different languages if you know what I mean. I feel stronger and ready to get what I need, thanks to you. I'll keep you posted and be back for advice and many many thanks. People with good teeth donlt get it until it happens to them. Glad I found you guys.

by Poobah, Dec 26, 2007 01:05PM

To: Teresa56

Hi Teresa,

When I read your post about being at the mercy of the dentist I knew exactly how you felt.
My dentist told me that he was going to crown my front teeth, and would do so with all porcelain crowns, (High quality).  He told me the price, which was good for me, and I agreed.  Well, as he started working, he then said, I don't like your front teeth.  They seem to be too fragile. I think we'll crown them with metal fused to porcelain instead.  I didn't say anything, seeing that the  price was good, but knew they cost less.  Then when he finally got done with my crowns, he comes in and fits me with a one-unit crown of 9 teeth!  Again, I didn't say anything at first.  Then I explained to him that I was worried that this would give me problems in the future.  That if one tooth got a decay, I would have to have the whole unit cut off.  What does he tell me?  He tells me not to worry.  That it will be easier in the long run, because he would only have to take one bridge/unit off instead of 9!  I know he was wrong, but I was at his mercy.  I told him that the unit would not come off if he permanantely glued it in!  He said, we'll use "medium" glue!  Do you believe that?  But when he finally gave me the final product, ....a different color than my natural teeth, my heart fell to the floor.  I am not being vain Teresa, and neither are you!  We are at the mercy of our dentists.  They promise many things, and SHOULD live up to them.
I don't know about you.  But I had invested $$ in these crowns, and didn't know what to do.  How do you get up, ask for your partial payment back, and go to another dentist?  !!!  Sigh...

At least my dentist is still willing to work with me.  Hopefully, he'll get the color right.  I would really like to give him a piece of my mind....  no...maybe I'll keep that to myself!  LOL

Pam

by brcdmd, Dec 26, 2007 05:21PM

You are 100% correct. And by images, I mean pictures, not x-rays. Digital pictures of the dentition, when done properly, can aid in a shade matching process. Anyway, vent here but do your best to be friendly. He or she is more apt to help you if they see genuine dissatisfaction and concern for your investment rather than threatening, combative attitudes. Not that you have one, but I deal with this from time to time and I can tell you that it's a lot easier to sympathize with a kind heart. All the same, this is a problem that should be fixed and I truly hope you find resolution. And, yes, it absolutely does matter about the lighting issue. Ask any artist...they'll tell you the same.

Hope it all works out.

by Teresa56, Dec 26, 2007 06:29PM

Thanks to all. I do appreciate the feedback. I wanted to get opinions before approaching him and I am glad I did because I have learned a lot.I have also asked other people their honest opinion of what it looks like and they pretty much agree that it doesn't look too good.I will give it a few more days and then give him a call and hope for the best.I'm glad to be able to vent here and not go in like a madwoman because I probably would have.I DO have an attitude. It's true!
brcdmd,
If he is agreeable what is the process?? What should I expect?What's fair in your opinion?

by Teresa56, Dec 26, 2007 06:38PM

To: Pam

Wow. I feel for you too but I'm glad your dentist is working with you.It will be worth it when it's over and looks good but it sure is hard when it's you in the chair, huh? I know it could be worse too.Yeah blah blah blah ha (I'm glad we don't have to post photos on here of our teeth in order to comment :)

by Poobah, Dec 27, 2007 08:11AM

To: Teresa56

I'm glad we don't have to post photos on here of our teeth in order to comment :)
***********************

What horror!  ROFLOL  I don't even want to smile period, let alone show pics!
By the way, I don't think you should have to pay a dime for him to repair your crown!  You weren't satisfied with it and told him.  He was the one who insisted it was good, NOT you.  It's not like going to a hairdresser and having a bad hair day, and going home and fixing it!
I wonder if many of these dentist (not all) would like the work that they did on their patients in THEIR MOUTHS!  Hmmmm......

by brcdmd, Dec 27, 2007 04:51PM

To: teresa56

That (Teresa) is an easy one to answer from the proverbial armchair quarterback position. You should expect to pay what you already paid and get what you wanted...in other words, your payment for the procedure should cover the procedure being done until you are satisfied. I cringe saying that because I have been in that situation before and for no reason other than satisfying a patient, have redone work I thought was perfectly acceptable, at no additional charge. My main goal is deliver the quality of work I would want in my mouth or my mom's or whatever, just like the above post said. If it can't pass that test it doesn't fly for me. Finally, it must get the patient's stamp of approval too. Anterior crowns and bridges are a difficult area, though. I am very careful to make sure the patient agrees with what we have done before we cement it. I cannot, under any circumstances, see cementing even the most perfect crown without allowing the patient to approve it. Most of the time, I am the most critical one in the room and insist on changes the patient doesn't want because they don't see what I am trained to look for. When you have an "exacting" patient, sometimes you have to go an extra mile. My only question regarding payment would be if they let you see the crown before cementation and you approved it, your aquiescence may justify them asking you to cover a portion of the expense they will incur to have it remade...not full price under any circumstance. I'd guess anywhere between 2 and 500 bucks. THAT BEING SAID, my partner, who practices with the same philosophy as I do, is in the process of redoing one at the behest of his patient a full year after it was originally done due to her dissatisfaction, and we aren't charging a dime. We put our patient's satisfaction above the profit/loss of a case and I wish everyone did, but that is not always applicable. Just remember, if he offers to redo it for free, be grateful because it is coming out of his pocket entirely.

I truly think you are justified in your frustration, and hope you find resolution. If you have access to a digital camera and could email me a really good picture of it, I'd gladly give you my .02 if you'd like.

by Teresa56, Dec 29, 2007 08:16AM

To: brcdmd

Thank you for all this information. I don't remember being asked for approval per say before he cemented the crown in place. The whole process from start to finish invloved him and his new dentist"son". His son was the first to give advice about what should be done and I was pretty freaked out- was expecting a crown,scared of the pain, really worried that it was my front tooth. Then there was a hassle over the insurance company. It was a long afternoon and I left with the temp crown which was so hideous looking. I was assured that the new one would be perfect as I said before. So after 2 and a half weeks or so I was there for the process and it's a little blurry to be honest. I did freak out again because while I was there before this and now, young dr dentist informed me that I also needed 2 more crowns w bridge and wisdom tooth cut out(never hurt and never bothered me )
Anyway....they and the billing girl, hygienist were all in there and all agreed that it looked great and was the whitest crown available. Maybe I am just nuts. It also dwarfs my other teeth in my opinion. I don't care so much about the money if it is just my own need for perfectionism but I suspect I won't have a leg to stand on. My word against everyone in the office. Sorry to keep going on and on- I know I am repeating myself.
How do I send you a picture? Again thank you so much.

by Teresa56, Dec 29, 2007 08:28AM

To: brcdmd

It is a porc/met crown- I wasn't asked, informed, or really offered any choice in that, just trusted that he was doing the right thing. To clarify, I know how to send the picture but I don't see your email address. Also should he have the ability to do dental images and send me to a technician for color matching? What if he just says it's the best that he can do?

by brcdmd, Dec 29, 2007 10:46AM

To: Teresa56

check your private messages under mymedhelp toolbar, and you should see one from me.

by concerned169, Jan 03, 2008 09:46AM

Being in the dental profession, it is our duty and the doctors duty to make sure that the patient is happy. First of all you should have had the option of doing an all ceramic crown vs. a porcelain fused to metal crown. If the off ice does not offer that choice of the all porcelain crown the dentisty needs to go back to dental school. Secondly, before the perment crown was cemented you shpuld have had a chance to look at the crown to make sure that you are happy with the shade, shape and etc. If not it is the offices resposibility to fix that probelm for you. I guess all the offices I ever worked in were ran differently. Basically the only way to have the crown lightened is to remake it. You are able to darken the crown but no way to lighten it. The dentist will need to start over. As for the office, they may want to start using consent forms which the patient signes after looking at the crown and staing that they like it before it is cemented ans somewhat permanent. I'm sorry about this but I guess the office needs to start over with the porcedure. Do not let them remove the crown and try and lighten it that way. It will make the porcelain weak. I hope this helps and am sorry about this situation. You may want to look into another office.

by concerned169, Jan 03, 2008 09:48AM

Being in the dental profession, it is our duty and the doctors duty to make sure that the patient is happy. First of all you should have had the option of doing an all ceramic crown vs. a porcelain fused to metal crown. If the off ice does not offer that choice of the all porcelain crown the dentisty needs to go back to dental school. Secondly, before the perment crown was cemented you shpuld have had a chance to look at the crown to make sure that you are happy with the shade, shape and etc. If not it is the offices resposibility to fix that probelm for you. I guess all the offices I ever worked in were ran differently. Basically the only way to have the crown lightened is to remake it. You are able to darken the crown but no way to lighten it. The dentist will need to start over. As for the office, they may want to start using consent forms which the patient signes after looking at the crown and staing that they like it before it is cemented ans somewhat permanent. I'm sorry about this but I guess the office needs to start over with the porcedure. Do not let them remove the crown and try and lighten it that way. It will make the porcelain weak. I hope this helps and am sorry about this situation. You may want to look into another office.

by concerned169, Jan 03, 2008 09:51AM

Being in the dental profession, it is our duty and the doctors duty to make sure that the patient is happy. First of all you should have had the option of doing an all ceramic crown vs. a porcelain fused to metal crown. If the off ice does not offer that choice of the all porcelain crown the dentisty needs to go back to dental school. Secondly, before the perment crown was cemented you shpuld have had a chance to look at the crown to make sure that you are happy with the shade, shape and etc. If not it is the offices resposibility to fix that probelm for you. I guess all the offices I ever worked in were ran differently. Basically the only way to have the crown lightened is to remake it. You are able to darken the crown but no way to lighten it. The dentist will need to start over. As for the office, they may want to start using consent forms which the patient signes after looking at the crown and staing that they like it before it is cemented ans somewhat permanent. I'm sorry about this but I guess the office needs to start over with the porcedure. Do not let them remove the crown and try and lighten it that way. It will make the porcelain weak. I hope this helps and am sorry about this situation. You may want to look into another office.

by concerned169, Jan 03, 2008 09:52AM

Being in the dental profession, it is our duty and the doctors duty to make sure that the patient is happy. First of all you should have had the option of doing an all ceramic crown vs. a porcelain fused to metal crown. If the off ice does not offer that choice of the all porcelain crown the dentisty needs to go back to dental school. Secondly, before the perment crown was cemented you shpuld have had a chance to look at the crown to make sure that you are happy with the shade, shape and etc. If not it is the offices resposibility to fix that probelm for you. I guess all the offices I ever worked in were ran differently. Basically the only way to have the crown lightened is to remake it. You are able to darken the crown but no way to lighten it. The dentist will need to start over. As for the office, they may want to start using consent forms which the patient signes after looking at the crown and staing that they like it before it is cemented ans somewhat permanent. I'm sorry about this but I guess the office needs to start over with the porcedure. Do not let them remove the crown and try and lighten it that way. It will make the porcelain weak. I hope this helps and am sorry about this situation. You may want to look into another office.

by DentalPlans, Jan 05, 2008 10:01AM

looks like you might need to take a look at whats offered here.

  

by DentalPlans, Jan 05, 2008 10:08AM

Dental Plans from only $79/year

by Teresa56, Jan 06, 2008 08:44PM

To: brcdmd

I'm sorry to take so long to respond( mother sick) but I don't see any messages from you. Advice? Thank you.

by Teresa56, Jan 06, 2008 08:49PM

To: Concerned169

Money is not my problem and I have a good dental plan. What should have been offered is moot at this point. I can't change how they do things in their office, only how they respond to my problem but thanks anyway.Hopefully they will be receptive to helping me.

by brcdmd, Jan 07, 2008 05:10PM

To: teresa56

I'll try to send it again. Check once more...sorry.



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