Dr. Hall,
I just had a dental implant done in September on my front tooth and the gumline is now higher than the rest of front teeth. My dentist suggested a temporary crown saying the gumline will drop down to this crown when this is on. Is this normal? The temporary crown stands out as an obviously ‘fake’ tooth? Would this be an example of what the permanent will look like? After spending $6000 on this tooth I would like it to look like the rest of my teeth. Is this possible, or do you think or will it always be obvious that it is a fake tooth?
I now kind of regret even having the implant if it will always look fake. The flipper I had looked better than this.
Could you suggest good cosmetic dentist in (my city) as they ALL say they are cosmetic.
Thank you,
Maria from Ontario
Dear Maria,
Putting the temporary crown on is a good idea, to see if the gum will indeed grow down to the tooth. I doubt that it will. And I would insist that the temporary crown look the way you want the tooth to look before the permanent crown is put on. This is your way to help make sure that you get what you are paying for—a normal-looking smile. And yes, that should be possible.
You do want the gumline across your front teeth to be symmetrical, assuming that your gumline shows when you smile. Many people don’t show their gums at all when they smile. Mine don’t. Look in the mirror and smile your broadest smile. If you can see the unevenness in your gums, then I would want them to be made even. If you can’t, then I wouldn’t worry about it.
After dental implants are surgically placed, if the gums aren’t in the correct position, it could require some additional surgery to make that right. But I would insist that your dentist arrange for that, if it is needed.
Check our list of Ontario cosmetic dentists. I know we have a great cosmetic dentist close to where you live. Yes, legally any dentist can say he or she is a cosmetic dentist, because the dental society doesn’t consider cosmetic dentistry a distinct specialty. I think they should, but they don’t. So that’s why we list the ones who are true cosmetic dentists.
Dr. hall
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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