Q. I have a real fear of the dentist and have just went through a year of dental work to to get 7 front upper crowns (had to go private). When it came to choosing the colour, my dentist showed me A2 which I thought was a bit yellow so we compromised on the main front 4 to be A1 and the others A2 (I thought this would be ok as I have a small mouth and am a smoker, I also bleaced my bottom teeth before they were fitted and they looked like A1 shade). When I went to get them fitted he informed me the technician had done them all A2 but he thought they would be more natural for me. This was last week and people are telling me they lovely (and they are) but now I am tortured over the colour and wish I had have said at the time, I just dont know whether to accept that they are more natural or go back and complain about the front 4? Everytime I look in the magazines at all the lovely white teeth, mine look so yellow yet the odd time I look at them in different lights they look ok. Sorry to drone on but I feel so anxious over the huge cost and just need some advice? Many many thanks.

A.

Shade a2 is a yellow colour and it is natural but now there are so many other whiter shades that can still look natural but they are much brighter. A really natural shade selection is A1 at the top third of the tooth and then transitioning into shade B1.
You have had the crowns fit now so unfortunately the only way to change the colour is to have the crowns replaced.

You could go back to the dentist and tell them that you don’t like the colour. Since it was not the colour you originally asked for, the dentist should be prepared to re do the crowns. It is of course up to the dentist whether you are charged again. From a good will point of view it would be nice if he replaced them for you at no cost. After all it was a lab error. However you did consent to have them fit so he is under no obligation to replace them for free. It is best if you go in and talk to him about your concerns and maybe you could reach some compromise. It is always best to go for the colour that you want and not want the dentist tells you. You are the customer after all.
Kind regards

Dr Komal Suri
Smile Design Dental
www.smiledesigndental.co.uk
Tel: 01296 624163
33 High Street
Wendover Buckinghamshire
HP22 6DU