After a fall, I got composite on my front teeth at age 16. I asked a dentist to replace the composite at age 30 because it was discolored, and now at 42, I have crowns instead because my dentist said it was best. These new crowns for my front teeth and lateral incisors that I got in January look and felt worse than the bonding ever did. I had no problems with the bonding. Whatever my dentist did with the crowns changed the spacing of my teeth. My top teeth hit the bottom ones weirdly, and my teeth chatter like I am cold or nervous. My dentist has tried to adjust my bite countless times with zero success. My mouth burns and gets drier by the day. My wife says it’s anxiety. Will I need new crowns to chew and speak correctly and stop my teeth from chattering? I was supposed to get teeth whitening next, but I told my dentist I wanted to wait. My mouth is so messed up. Thanks. Dexter from Queens, NY

Dexter,

You have several concerns about the effects of your new crowns.

You had successful dental bonding, but your dentist replaced it with crowns. Your dentist’s ethics and your experience with the crowns are alarming. Your dentist’s treatment plan concerns us and sounds like aggressive overtreatment.

Your dental crowns should feel so natural that you do not notice them. Instead, your teeth meet weirdly and tap together so much that you described it as chattering.

Although dental crowns can look fine, a dentist must understand occlusal principles to ensure your bite is balanced. When your jaw slides forward, your front teeth should guide the back teeth apart. Your upper and lower teeth should meet simultaneously, but they should also provide anterior guidance.

When you slide your saw from side to side, canine teeth should force all other teeth apart. Tooth shape affects your speech.

Your dentist has missed some tooth shape or function aspects with your dental crowns. You will need a second opinion from a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite to identify the source of your concerns.

Your wife is correct that your anxiety over dental issues can cause burning mouth syndrome. Dry mouth and burning are two of its symptoms.

Before planning for dental crowns, your dentist should have whitened your teeth to ensure your teeth and crowns are the same shade. It’s best to postpone your whitening treatment anyway.

Get a second opinion from an experienced dentist to correct your bite and determine if your existing crowns are savable and what must be done to harmonize your bite.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.