Implant Crowns – 7 and 10

This case was a material and shade rollercoaster! This patient presented with previously restored implants at 7 and 10 and felt like these crowns did not match her natural teeth. The initial material choice was Zirconia, and the crowns had some layering and characterization on them. The patient did not want to replace the abutments, just the crowns, so we did not have full control of the restorative outcome of the case. However, I think the results were significantly improved from where we started!

First step was bleaching; utilizing Opalescence Carbamaide Peroxide to get the natural teeth to their whitest and repeatable shade. Then, the zirconia crowns were removed, and an abutment level impression was taken in PVS.

The first round of crowns back from the lab had excellent porcelain work (PFM was selected as the material since the abutments were metal to block out the “gray” color) however the value and shape left something to be desired. More photos, including cross polarized, gave the lab the information they needed for us to communicate on the expectations for this case.

One of the biggest things we were able to change, in addition to the material, was the position of the gingival zenith. This was the first round of try-in crowns again, showing the abutment height difference between 7 and 10.

Finally, after more back and forth with the lab, the final restorations arrived. We were able to move the gingival position, have the overall shape and line angels of 7 and 10 match, and get the shade to match quite close! The patient was thrilled, and especially happy to get out of the temporaries!