Expensive dental crowns color match is way off

[LiveMusic]

$5,300 thrown away? Sorry for the long story.

I am livid. Every time I think about this, I just can't believe people are so inept. I got four crowns/bridge on and as soon as she handed me the mirror, I saw that they are WAY off in color. It's like the crowns are white and my teeth are yellow. That much of a difference. It's so bad, it's like she turned in the wrong color match to the lab. I told her it's way off. Her response was silly. The dentist wasn't even in there again once he cemented them. Maybe he was too scared to come back in and face me because when he was putting the crowns on, he could easily see that they don't match? It just angers me to no end. Like, what the heck am I going to do now? You can't change this to my knowledge. I asked them this during all of this work. And now, I have researched it.

Far as I know this can't be fixed without starting over. The only thing that could be done without starting over is bleach my natural teeth. I am not confident that this mismatch could ever be fixed by bleaching because I have done bleach before and it did NOT bleach them this far. And... I will be 70 in two months, so, I am no spring chicken, so, teeth are naturally darker. Maybe harder to bleach?

So, is the only solution to start over? This took two or three months and multiple visits. I need to get a lawyer? Angers me to have to confront somebody with ineptitude. This is pretty important, it's the entire row of bottom teeth! And as a musician, I deal with the public! Am I just supposed to live with this? If you don't give a rip about anything, it's just fine. But if you do care, it's horrible. Especially after $5,300. Anybody that spends that amount of money on a cosmetic procedure, obviously, cares. (My bottom teeth had become severely crooked over the years due to bony growths in my mouth.)

When she called to remind me of the appointment, first words out of her mouth were not, "Just a reminder about your upcoming appointment." It was, "You're crowns are in!" I said, "You're kidding. I thought there was another step!" The reason I thought there was another step is because I knew that the dentist had never done a color match. Only the nurse. I was expecting another visit and he would be there, and maybe even the second nurse, too, to do a final color match because THIS PART IS REALLY IMPORTANT. It's the entire row of front teeth! You spend that much money and that much time, you want it done better than this.

Anyone have any insight, any experience? What would you do? I have no idea how much it would cost the dentist if I demanded they start over.

BTW... this is crowns and a bridge. I went in for tooth pain there in the front. They pulled one tooth because this tooth had two previous root canals over many years and, supposedly, it got infected again. So, he yanked it, "it needs to go" and then I said fix these crooked neighbors. That made it four crowns instead of just one spot where the extracted tooth was. And... about 6-8 weeks into all of this, I had pain again, went back and asked that they check again because something is wrong. He immediately spotted a neighbor tooth with abscess. He said you gotta have a root canal. Admitted that this was probably the problem from the getgo. The good news is that he did not charge me for the root canal. Kind of admitting guilt there. He did it right then and there; it took all of 45 minutes.

I like the dentist, he's likeable. He's done a lot of work for me but dang it, this horrific color match!

[Talk2Me]

Did you pay with a credit card? You could dispute the charges. Did you use insurance? Report them to the insurance company.

Your dentist may be "likeable" but sounds inept with all the extra work done and now the mismatch. I'd move on (after getting this resolved).

[LiveMusic]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

Did you pay with a credit card? You could dispute the charges. Did you use insurance? Report them to the insurance company.

Your dentist may be "likeable" but sounds inept with all the extra work done and now the mismatch. I'd move on (after getting this resolved).

I paid with debit card, so, I suppose there is no relief there if I decided to just demand a refund. I do not have dental insurance.

I just hate this kind of crap because it's THEIR fault, not mine and now, we have a very serious problem, all due to ineptitude IMO.

EDIT: I just thought of something... if we were to start over, perhaps it would be much less time and visits because part of the multiple visits required like we did it, part of that is due to gums needing to heal and you have to take a mold impression a couple of times during all of that. Maybe if you did it over, they could just grind these crowns off, take an impression, send it in to the lab and then when done, they are put on and you're done. If I were to go that way, I'd even ask if they could send me to the lab and let THEM color match. Of course, all of this is a PITA because of time required on ME to do all this stuff and I've got a very busy schedule upcoming. Also... does anyone have an idea of how much this 4-crown bridge would cost the dentist?

[Methos1979]

Color matching of this type is an important part of the process and if it's that far off then they should do it over and do it for free. You could also go the route of whitening your other teeth to match the new ones which would have the added benefit of making for a nicer smile! This might be the cheaper way (for them) to go. Regardless of which way you decide to go, THEY should pay to have it done. If they don't fix their mistake you could take them to court but it would likely just end up costing you as much in legal fees. If they refuse to take responsibility for their mistake then I would go the whitening route via another dentist and I would make it my lifelong mission to denounce them on every social media platform known to man.

In this day and age almost everyone goes onto Google for reviews to see who is worth giving your business to. As long as it's done professionally and rationally, you can get results. A bad review from a credible source does not just go away. People find them and read them and take them to heart. I don't select any contractor/doctor/dentist/mechanic - whatever - anymore without thoroughly checking out their reviews on Google and/or social media. I'm a big fan of trend analysis and hive-mind reviewing. Keep in mind that much like wading through AGF posts, you need to take everything with a grain of salt but if the trend is bad (or good) enough then there is truth to it. It's like the old Olympics where you threw out the low and high score and then averaged the rest. Good luck!

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by LiveMusic

EDIT: I just thought of something... if we were to start over, perhaps it would be much less time and visits because part of the multiple visits required like we did it, part of that is due to gums needing to heal and you have to take a mold impression a couple of times during all of that. Maybe if you did it over, they could just grind these crowns off, take an impression, send it in to the lab and then when done, they are put on and you're done. If I were to go that way, I'd even ask if they could send me to the lab and let THEM color match. Of course, all of this is a PITA because of time required on ME to do all this stuff and I've got a very busy schedule upcoming. Also... does anyone have an idea of how much this 4-crown bridge would cost the dentist?

Agree, this should take MUCH less of your time. They always keep or give to you the molds to keep in case you need to have them done again. At least, I've always been given mine. So they should just be able to reorder them with the correct color match and have them remade. After that it's just a matter of popping them off, polishing off the old glue and putting the new ones back on. Should be very quick for you.

[Rolph]

I don't know what you should do. As a physician, I would speak frankly to the dentist, no one else.
Unfortunately, I think the level of proficiency and ethics in Dentistry is appalling.

[LiveMusic]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Agree, this should take MUCH less of your time. They always keep or give to you the molds to keep in case you need to have them done again. At least, I've always been given mine. So they should just be able to reorder them with the correct color match and have them remade. After that it's just a matter of popping them off, polishing off the old glue and putting the new ones back on. Should be very quick for you.

So, do you think that these crowns will come off? I was under the impression that once 'installed,' they can't be removed, once the glue is cured (he used UV light or some kind of light), it's done. I was thinking that he would have to destroy these crowns by grinding them down just like he would a natural tooth and leave stumps there. And then take another mold and sent the new mold to the lab.

If all he has to do is 'uncure' the crowns and pop them off, then all he has to do is get another set of crowns from the lab with proper color match and uncure the old crowns, remove, and install the new. I am trying to get a feel for how much this might 'cost' him. I have no idea what a 4-crown bridge costs a dentist.

ALSO... does anyone know about bleaching... if I could get 'relief' by bleaching and the natural teeth do match up to the crowns (as said, I have my doubts), can this be maintained with additional bleaching till death? I'm almost 70 now. (If bleaching is dicey, it's not a great option, fixing these crowns is better.)

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by LiveMusic

So, do you think that these crowns will come off? I was under the impression that once 'installed,' they can't be removed, once the glue is cured (he used UV light or some kind of light), it's done. I was thinking that he would have to destroy these crowns by grinding them down just like he would a natural tooth and leave stumps there. And then take another mold and sent the new mold to the lab.

If all he has to do is 'uncure' the crowns and pop them off, then all he has to do is get another set of crowns from the lab with proper color match and uncure the old crowns, remove, and install the new. I am trying to get a feel for how much this might 'cost' him. I have no idea what a 4-crown bridge costs a dentist.

ALSO... does anyone know about bleaching... if I could get 'relief' by bleaching and the natural teeth do match up to the crowns (as said, I have my doubts), can this be maintained with additional bleaching till death? I'm almost 70 now. (If bleaching is dicey, it's not a great option, fixing these crowns is better.)

They definitely will come off. In fact, they do come off over time and need to be reglued. I've had a few that pop off after several years and need to be reglued. Just had one redone a few weeks ago.

[stokes1971]

Just get a couple packs of Camels- the non filter variety, the teeth will match in a couple days

[Earl49]

ARRRGGGGHHH! The stupid forum software once again dumped another long and detailed post.

I concluded by saying that the "nuclear option" is to contact the state licensing authority, but expect that any further cooperation with that office will stop right there. You'll have to find a new dentist and probably sue this guy to recover the price of the remedial work. It would probably be small claims court, but not certain.

[LiveMusic]

I called the office and spoke only to the nurse as the dentist is not in. He only works 3x week these days at the most, he's old as me. She said that she told him I was not happy with the color and he said that the crowns will darken with time. I have several questions I would ask him but one is... are the crowns EVER going to darken enough to be a match? Because I have my doubts. But he's the expert, not me. And I would ask about bleaching. And I told her that the bottom line is that whatever is done, if there is never going to be a match, I'm not happy.

Another question I have from anyone that might know... do you know if there are different qualities of crowns? Like, do dentists have the option of choosing a cheap version, mid-level price, premium price? (Cost to them.) Because I am not aware of that, such was never discussed and I've never heard of it but just about anything you get, there are different quality levels.

Another question would be... what if I were a bigshot movie star. Would that movie star be happy? No! What would have been done differently?

She is supposed to confer with him and get back to me. Soon as I got him the other day and had thought this through, I ordered an Auraglow bleach kit that has good reviews... $48, includes LED light and 20x uses peroxide gel. But before I used it, I was wanting to show him why I am so unhappy about this. Anybody should be able to see it! And if bleaching is the thing to do, he should pay for it. Again, she said that he said that you have to choose a lighter shade from a match because the crowns will darken. But I just can't imagine a match even with bleaching based on past bleaching experience and how white these crowns are.

[Talk2Me]

Originally Posted by LiveMusic

I called the office and spoke only to the nurse as the dentist is not in. He only works 3x week these days at the most, he's old as me. She said that she told him I was not happy with the color and he said that the crowns will darken with time. I have several questions I would ask him but one is... are the crowns EVER going to darken enough to be a match? Because I have my doubts. But he's the expert, not me. And I would ask about bleaching. And I told her that the bottom line is that whatever is done, if there is never going to be a match, I'm not happy.

Another question I have from anyone that might know... do you know if there are different qualities of crowns? Like, do dentists have the option of choosing a cheap version, mid-level price, premium price? (Cost to them.) Because I am not aware of that, such was never discussed and I've never heard of it but just about anything you get, there are different quality levels.

Another question would be... what if I were a bigshot movie star. Would that movie star be happy? No! What would have been done differently?

She is supposed to confer with him and get back to me. Soon as I got him the other day and had thought this through, I ordered an Auraglow bleach kit that has good reviews... $48, includes LED light and 20x uses peroxide gel. But before I used it, I was wanting to show him why I am so unhappy about this. Anybody should be able to see it! And if bleaching is the thing to do, he should pay for it. Again, she said that he said that you have to choose a lighter shade from a match because the crowns will darken. But I just can't imagine a match even with bleaching based on past bleaching experience and how white these crowns are.

Wow! Lots of lame excuses. He only comes in 3 days a week. So he's not available via phone the other 4? He's old. So what? They'll darken over time. Oh yeah, is that why every other dentist in the world does color matching first?

At home bleaching is only semi-effective (it can't give you news anchor white teeth), may do damage over time and isn't what you agreed to.

If you were a big shot movie star what you would have done differently was to go to one of the big shot dentists they use. And that dentist would have done a color match.

She's supposed to confer with him? No, YOU are supposed to confer with him. If it takes an extra day or two because he can't call until he's in the office (which is nuts) then so be it. This is between him and you. The nurse is simply running interference and should get out of the loop and out of the way.

Good luck!

[Rolph]

Originally Posted by LiveMusic

I called the office and spoke only to the nurse as the dentist is not in. He only works 3x week these days at the most, he's old as me. She said that she told him I was not happy with the color and he said that the crowns will darken with time. I have several questions I would ask him but one is... are the crowns EVER going to darken enough to be a match? Because I have my doubts. But he's the expert, not me. And I would ask about bleaching. And I told her that the bottom line is that whatever is done, if there is never going to be a match, I'm not happy.

Another question I have from anyone that might know... do you know if there are different qualities of crowns? Like, do dentists have the option of choosing a cheap version, mid-level price, premium price? (Cost to them.) Because I am not aware of that, such was never discussed and I've never heard of it but just about anything you get, there are different quality levels.

Another question would be... what if I were a bigshot movie star. Would that movie star be happy? No! What would have been done differently?

She is supposed to confer with him and get back to me. Soon as I got him the other day and had thought this through, I ordered an Auraglow bleach kit that has good reviews... $48, includes LED light and 20x uses peroxide gel. But before I used it, I was wanting to show him why I am so unhappy about this. Anybody should be able to see it! And if bleaching is the thing to do, he should pay for it. Again, she said that he said that you have to choose a lighter shade from a match because the crowns will darken. But I just can't imagine a match even with bleaching based on past bleaching experience and how white these crowns are.

Some so called professional who tells you your teeth will darken over time, is completely unprofessional! What BS!

[Rolph]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

Wow! Lots of lame excuses. He only comes in 3 days a week. So he's not available via phone the other 4? He's old. So what? They'll darken over time. Oh yeah, is that why every other dentist in the world does color matching first?

At home bleaching is only semi-effective (it can't give you news anchor white teeth), may do damage over time and isn't what you agreed to.

If you were a big shot movie star what you would have done differently was to go to one of the big shot dentists they use. And that dentist would have done a color match.

She's supposed to confer with him? No, YOU are supposed to confer with him. If it takes an extra day or two because he can't call until he's in the office (which is nuts) then so be it. This is between him and you. The nurse is simply running interference and should get out of the loop and out of the way.

Good luck!

It's not that they're Big Shot Dentists. It's that they paid attention in school, and know how to do their job, competently.

[srick]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Color matching of this type is an important part of the process and if it's that far off then they should do it over and do it for free. You could also go the route of whitening your other teeth to match the new ones which would have the added benefit of making for a nicer smile! This might be the cheaper way (for them) to go. Regardless of which way you decide to go, THEY should pay to have it done. If they don't fix their mistake you could take them to court but it would likely just end up costing you as much in legal fees.

Scott nails it. There should have been a try-in and approval before cementation. Frequently with an esthetic case, it is cemented temporarily so that it can be evaluated in different settings and lighting. Plus, the esthetics and function of the front teeth must be dialed in perfectly. That’s standard operating procedure. And, the bleaching recommendation should have come before the treatment.

But wrong color doesn’t rise to the level of malpractice. And even if the lawyer could get a settlement, it would only cover replacement costs. Then, you would have to find a new dentist, rinse and repeat. It would be a big headache.

You need to schedule time with this dentist to speak frankly and directly. Tell him you are not happy with the color and express disappointment that there was not an adequate trial period. Then, just be quiet for a moment, and let him respond.

Yes, it will have to be cut off and replaced. And yes, you should consider bleaching this time.

From a retired dentist here I can tell you that performing esthetic dentistry ranks a 10/10 in difficulty (actually, every part of dentistry rates 10/10; it’s a very tough profession). Because it is so difficult, we dentists hate having to admit things are not up to snuff and re-do a poor outcome. Plus, results are highly subjective… ten people may look at your teeth and say, “I don’t see the problem,” but for you, it is oh so obvious.

And there is good news. This is not a life-threatening problem. It’s teeth that are the wrong color. Take a breath, and set up that appointment.

Good luck with this.

Rick (retired DMD with 41 years in the trenches)