Are feldspathic crowns best for front teeth? I want to replace my old porcelain fused to metal crowns. They are discolored now, and the dark metal line at my gums shows. I read about the beauty of feldspathic crowns, but should I ask my dentist for them or another type? Thanks, Jason from Solon, OH
Jason.
Feldspathic and several other all-ceramic crowns, including lithium disilicate or zirconia, can mimic natural teeth. However, we recommend finding a dentist with artistic talent to determine which crowns work best for your case. You can ask a dentist to use specific materials, but if they don’t have experience with feldspathic, you will not get natural-looking results.
Insisting on specific materials can pressure a dentist to meet your request even without experience with feldspathic crowns. The results could be disappointing.
A cosmetic dentist may use an opaquer to mask the dark tooth beneath the crown. Dental composite buildup material can conceal the discoloration before you get a dental crown. Some cosmetic dentists ask their lab technicians to add an opaque layer to the dental crown. With zirconia or lithium disilicate, the dental ceramist at the lab would add a layer of feldspathic porcelain over the crown for beautiful results.
You can schedule consultations with two cosmetic dentists to discuss your options for front teeth crowns. Compare the dentists’ training, experience, and offering to help you choose a cosmetic dentist.
Dr. James Gavrilos, an accredited cosmetic dentist from Barrington, Illinois, sponsors this post. Read about how Dr. Gavrilos strives to provide the best dental care in Barrington.