My crown isn’t staying on. It has popped off three times now, and after each trip back to the dentist, I get the same answer: another procedure. This time, it is cutting away gum tissue to expose more of the tooth for the crown to hold onto. Sounds intense, right? There’s another thing that freaks me out—the base of my tooth, where the crown is black now. I could swear it wasn’t like that before the last repair. I have the crown in my hand. What should I do next? I’m exhausted. I had never hated dental visits before this drama. I can’t unwind. Thanks. Cherie

Cherie,

I understand your frustration with your crown falling off three times, and the proposed crown lengthening solution raises some concerns. While the procedure can be necessary in certain situations, your dentist’s approach, in this case, doesn’t sit quite right.

Our concerns:

• Repeated failures: A crown shouldn’t fall off repeatedly. This suggests issues with either the initial preparation or the material used.
• Reactive approach: Why wasn’t crown lengthening discussed upfront? Addressing potential limitations before starting seems like the responsible course of action.
• Blackening on the tooth: This new development warrants investigation.

Gather information from one or two second-opinion appointments with dentists experienced in crown retentive techniques. Ask questions to understand your treatment options. Also, explain your anxiety and possible need for sedation to keep you relaxed.

If your dentist didn’t discuss potential limitations and the need for additional procedures upfront, ask for a refund or help paying for a new crown.

Plano, Texas, female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.