Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Are Orthodontics Required to Replace Crowns?

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I have had two crowns on my front teeth for a while. They are starting to show their age and really need to be replaced. For some reasons, my dentist is insisting that I do orthodontics first before he’ll replace my dental crowns. It’s not that I don’t want straight teeth, but I just can’t afford them. Is this just a preference thing or will I face this with every dentist?

Miranda

Dear Miranda,

A dentist and patient
It is unfair to patients when a dentist insists on the ideal treatment, regardless of circumstances

I have to admit that it annoys me when dentists behave this way. Yes, having straight teeth is the ideal, but if you cannot afford orthodontic work, then you can’t afford it.

Obviously, you can have dental crowns placed when your teeth aren’t straight or you wouldn’t have any now. This is a preference issue on the part of your dentist.

In all honesty, I’m going to suggest you find another dentist. Look for one who is willing to work within the budget of his patients. You could do an internet search for an “affordable dentist” in your area.

Benefits of an Affordable Dentist

If you find an affordable dentist, they’ll be willing to work within your budget. They’re also willing to stage treatments, so you don’t have to do everything at once. Additionally, they will often have payment plans. Some of them have in-house plans and some of them work through Care Credit.

Getting a Crown on Your Front Teeth

One thing you want to be careful of, regardless of where you go to get your crowns done, is that they only give you all-porcelain crowns on your front teeth.

A metal-based crown will not look right on front teeth. They will be too opaque. They will also develop a gray line on the gumline.

If You Ever Decide to Get Orthodontics

When you do decide you are able to get orthodontics (and that should be completely up to you) you no longer have to get metal wires and brackets. These days, you have the option of “invisible braces”.

Invisalign is the most popular brand which utilizes clear aligners. These gently guide your teeth into their correct position.

I hope this helps you. This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Orthodontics before Crowns?

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I’m hoping you can help me. I have had two crowns on my front teeth for a long time. They’ve always looked a little pastier than my other teeth, but now they have this unsightly gray line and they are discolored. I need to get them replaced, but my dentist is insisting I get braces first. I really can’t afford that. Isn’t there any way they can do the crowns without my teeth being perfectly straight?

Martha

Dear Martha,

Tulsa braces for othodontic dental treatment

What your dentist is doing is unfair to you. He is insisting on the ideal treatment. Well, not everyone can afford the ideal. He should be able to do these crowns regardless of whether or not you have orthodontics done. How else would they have been placed on your teeth originally? I’m assuming the needed orthodontics isn’t a new thing.

You may have to see another dentist to work within your budget, but that’s okay. there are affordable dentists who take into consideration that sometimes a patient can’t get everything done at once. This is called phased treatment.

You can either get the crowns done now and put off the ortho until later. You can even skip braces altogether. It is completely up to you.

Orthodontics for Adults

If you decide later on you do want to straighten your teeth, you no longer have to get a mouth full of metal wires and brackets. There are better options for adults these days. Most prefer a brand of invisible braces called Invisalign.

These use clear aligners which allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. They truly are invisible, even at a conversational distance.

Crowns for Front Teeth

There was a reason your dental crowns looked pasty when you first had them placed. Your dentist placed porcelain fused to metal crowns. While these are perfectly fine for back teeth, they are way too opaque looking for front teeth.

Plus, as you’ve experienced, they also eventually develop a gray line at the gumline. For front teeth, we recommend all-porcelain crowns. These look much more natural and will never develop that unsightly gray line.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.



Dentist Insisting I Get Braces

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I’m at my wit’s end. I know I’ll never be able to have a perfect smile, but I was hoping for something at least not humiliating. I have crowns on my two front teeth. They’re over 15 years old and starting to show their wear. They’re stained and starting to crack. I just wanted to replace them and maybe whiten my teeth if I still had enough money. However, my dentist is insisting I get braces on my teeth before I get my crowns re-done. I just can’t afford that. Is it truly necessary? My teeth stick out a little, but not that much. Why was the last dentist able to do crowns?

Karen

Dear Karen,

Smiling young woman with braces

This is one of those situations which truly frustrates me. Some dentists will insist on only doing the ideal no matter what type of burden that places on the patient. This is unfair. It’s obvious your crowns need replacing and he’s putting you over a barrel.

As you said, your last dentist was able to do the crowns, why isn’t this one? I think in this case you may need to see a different dentist to get the treatment you want without it costing you a fortune. You can completely do without braces, or you could just get them later if circumstances changed.

Teeth Whitening and Crowns

If you’re serious about getting your teeth whitened, it will save you a lot of money to get them whitened before you have the crowns made. It’s possible to get your teeth whitened in one appointment these days with in-office teeth whitening. That will save you time.

If you wait to whiten your teeth until after your new crowns are made, they won’t match. The whitening gel only works on natural tooth structure, which means your teeth will whiten but not your crowns, causing you to need to purchase new ones unless you want mismatched teeth. Doing the tooth bleaching first prevents that.

Althernative Orthodontics for Adults

If somewhere in your future, you decide you do want orthodontics, you should know it no longer means you have to get uncomfortable wires and metal all over your teeth. These days, Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces.

They use clear plastic aligners which are invisible even at a conversational distance.

One other thing to note. Because the crowns are on your front teeth, make sure whatever dentist you settle on gives you all-porcelain crowns. They’ll look much more natural.

This blog is brought to you by Glenpool Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Why is my gumline gray?

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I’ve had dental crowns for a while, but for some reason, recently, I’ve been noticing a gray line at my gumline. Am I having some kind of reaction or infection?

Kevin T. – South Dakota

Kevin,

If there are not other symptoms but a gray line at your gumline, then it sounds like your dentist gave you porcelain fused to metal crowns.  These always end up with a gray line at the gumline.  There is absolutely nothing you can do about the gray line once it is there except to get completely new crowns.

If you do decide to get new crowns make sure your dentist gives you all-porcelain crowns. These will not only look more natural, but you will never have to worry about a gray line develop.

Talk to your dentist. Make sure you’re clear about what you want.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Why is my gumline turning grayish?

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I have a dental crown on one of my front teeth. It’s been Ok and not giving me any problems.  For some reason, lately there has been a dark line at my gumline.  Could I be having a reaction to the crown even if I don’t feel anything?

Dana L. – Montana

Dana,

Based on your description, I suspect the type of dental crown you have is a porcelain fused to metal crown. Those eventually develop a gray line at your gumline.  It’s not an infection. Neither is it a reaction, so you don’t have to worry about that.

The only real problem you face with it is there is no real way to remove it, unless you switch to all-porcelain crowns. You mentioned this is a front tooth. Was there some reason you haven’t mentioned that prompted your dentist not to use an all-porcelain crown on your front teeth?

If not, my suggestion would be to have it replaced.  Although you’ve been happy with the feel of your crown, I’m sure you’re going to find the all-porcelain crown much more natural looking. Plus, there is the added benefit of no dark line.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.