Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic: What If You Don’t Like the Upper Front Tooth Crown? Retrreatment and Remaking of an Upper Central Incisor Restoration

Hello,

This is Dr. Park Jeong-gi, representative director of Seoul Remember, Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic.

The dental term for the area we commonly call the front teeth is the anterior region.

Among them, the big front teeth are called central incisors, and because they are located at the center of the face, they play a direct role in aesthetics.

That is why even a small mismatch can greatly affect patient satisfaction. Today at Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic, we will explain the process of retreatment for dissatisfaction with the crown on the upper left central incisor (tooth 21).

For easier understanding, I will also show photos along the way.

Reasons why the patient was likely dissatisfied with the existing crown

2025.05.02

Based on the intraoral photo, there are several factors that were likely to have caused dissatisfaction.

1. The existing crown may not have matched the shade of the adjacent teeth.

Even a slight difference is noticeable to the eye, so it may have been bothersome every time the patient looked in the mirror.

2. The prosthetic margin did not fit well, so the boundary along the gum line appears dark.

As a result, it can even feel as though there is decay, making it clearly obvious that this is not a natural tooth.

It is possible that when the first prosthesis was being made, it should have been shaped properly below the gum line, but that was insufficient,

or the gingiva may have receded further because of gum inflammation or a similar reason.

Things to consider when making an upper central incisor restoration At Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic, I think there are even more points to pay attention to when making anterior restorations.

1. Shade Matching

Going beyond simply choosing from a shade guide, lighting in the treatment room, the color of the clothes worn that day, and even the color of lipstick can affect the result.

It is important to evaluate from multiple angles and decide on the color using objective criteria.

2. Reproducing Tooth Structure

Natural teeth are layered structures, composed of layers such as enamel and dentin.

Toward the gum line, they have a structure with a yellowish tone.

It is also necessary to reproduce these characteristics, considering the patient’s existing tooth features.

In particular, the translucency of the incisal edge and its subtle length must be reproduced.

3. Size and Shape

At Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic, I always say that the size and shape of the symmetrical tooth 11 must be checked.

Beyond size and shape, the bulkiness, length, and interdental space must also be considered in order to achieve a more satisfying result.

4. Material Selection

Both strength and aesthetics must be considered when choosing what material to use.

If the previous crown was made of PFM material, with a metal interior, the patient may have felt that its aesthetics were even poorer.

For that reason, please carefully choose the new restoration after understanding the characteristics of the material and having sufficient discussion with the patient.

5. Marginal Fit

The margin line, which is the boundary between the tooth and the gum, must be excellent, and it should not feel as though the restoration is cut off at the crown.

In this process, how appropriately it is made in terms of length so that gingival recession does not occur can be considered the key point.

Conclusion At Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic, I will show you how it looked after the crown replacement.

2025.05.13

Compared with before, the color is a little brighter and blends much more naturally with the surrounding teeth.

Because the margin was well formed, the issue the patient initially expressed dissatisfaction with would also have been resolved.

With precise marginal fit and the use of biocompatible materials, secondary decay and related problems can also be prevented, so the lifespan can be expected to be longer.

2025.05.02 ~ 2025.05.13

The crown remaking shown today at Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic was not simply a prosthetic treatment,

but a delicate process that required adjustments based on the patient’s needs.

For that reason, it may not be possible to achieve the desired result in just one attempt.

However, after many conversations and a lot of effort, if we fine-tune small details such as shade, shape, and size,

and achieve harmony with the adjacent teeth while also allowing proper function, wouldn’t that be more satisfying?

At Bongcheon-dong Dental Clinic, as a doctor, I continue to strive to provide good care that patients will remember, and I will come back next time with a better topic.

Thank you for reading. This was Dr. Park Jeong-gi from Seoul Remember.

Treatment period: 2025.05.02 ~ 2025.05.13