It’s just my luck that I would get a terrible toothache while my dentist was on vacation. Since I had no other options, I looked up an emergency dentist and they were able to squeeze me in. The overall experience was good – the staff and doctor were great and they took good care of me when putting a crown on my tooth. I’m not in pain anymore, however, the only complaint I have is that the crown doesn’t match my other teeth. Granted, it’s not one of my front teeth, but I smile pretty big and the tooth shows even though it is farther back. I’m not sure I can live with it. Will the dentist think I am ungrateful if I ask to have it re-done? — Richard
Richard,
Emergency dentists are great for just that – emergencies. They offer flexible hours and want nothing more than to help people, especially when they are in a lot of pain. They have an immediate goal for treatment, rather than long-term. Because most are general dentists, their skills vary and often don’t include much in the way of cosmetic needs.
It’s a bummer that your crown is the wrong color. Unfortunately, the shade can’t be changed now that it is cemented so the only option would be having it re-done. It’s likely the dentist you saw wants his patients to be happy, but he may not have the skills to give you the results you want. With that said, you should still talk to the office about your concerns and see if they’ll fix it. If the dentist does try to make it right and you’re still not happy, your best bet will be to seek out a skilled cosmetic dentist. Although neither “cosmetic dentistry” nor “emergency dentistry” is a recognized specialty, there are dentists who offer each service, and their level of skill will vary immensely.
Could you live with it? Sure. But, when you stop and think about it, crowns can last 15-20 years. That’s a long time to be unhappy with the color of a tooth. It’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible. See if the dentist can make it right for you and if not, don’t feel bad about moving on and finding someone who can.
This blog post is brought to you by Des Moines cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phelan Thomas. For more information on the services he provides, please visit his Des Moines cosmetic dentist website.