HELP!!! Very Important Dental Crown Question!!!?

I just had my two front crowns done and the dentist as the cement was drying he put a finishing strip down the middle of the two front crowns.





Now, me being no stranger to crowns sice I have had them most of my life as he was doing this I immediately showed him my concern that I wanted him to stop. In the past they have only used dental floss down the middle to rid the excess cement.





He told me not to stop him and to let him do his job. I got home two days later to a letter in the mail stating that he was dropping me as a patient since there is not doctor/patient trust.





Sure enough, now the contact between the two front crowns is not as strong as it should be, allowing food to get jammed up there occassionally. It is not a visible space, but I can tell you that I could probably fit 3-4 strips of dental floss up there at once if I wanted to.





Is this normal procedure to use a finishing strip up the center of the two front crowns? I have never had anyone do this???

HELP!!! Very Important Dental Crown Question!!!?
Yes, using finishing strips is very common procedure. My boss uses a piece of dental floss tied in a knot, most times though. There should naturally be some space between the crowns to allow you to floss easily along the gum line. It is especially important to floss with crowns so that decay doesn't occur underneath the crown.





If it isn't visible, and unless the crown comes off, I don't see what the problem is. I don't think contacting the dental board would do any good since what the dentist did was nether illegal nor unethical. Just his procedure and technique. Sorry!
Reply:Hello,





Your dentist can use the strips these are thin plastic strips which are used to separate the two adjacent crowns or even two adjacent teeth while cementing them.





So the procedure done was correct and if it is not a visible space than there is nothing to worry..Brush and floss properly to avoid any food impaction.





Thanks :)
Reply:A finishing strip is normally just as wide as floss and would do nothing more than make the contact between them smoother which should reduce the amount of food that gets impacted between them. A finishing strip is the same width but normally just has a small amount of smoother to it. It helps grip to that extra cement and smooth it off. It is a normal practice for many on front teeth. Unfortenately, crowns often cause food impaction b/c of the margins and also b/c people often have bone loss which reduces how far the papillae/gums drop down between the teeth. This loss of papillae causes more space and more food impaction. Get a second opinion if you are concerned.
Reply:This is the third time you've posted this question... what answer are you looking for?
Reply:OK (1),,,the strip he used was an abrasive coated strip which is a common procedure to loosen a contact that "is" to tight...that of course doesn't mean the DDS always gets it right. If he did make the contact to lite, the simple fact is, that isn't proper procedure, it's either right or it's wrong. If it's wrong it get's redone, period. (2) You need a second opinion, "BUT", you don't tell the DDS you see for the second opinion anything about what is going on or who did the crowns or when...and you take a close friend to hear the opinion. What you tell the receptionist when you call for the second opinion exam, is that "lately" you have been getting food lodged between some teeth and it's driving you nuts and you want to see what's causing it...you have to play "dumb"...If the DDS opinion is the crowns insufficient contact is the culprit and replacing the crowns is the only way to correct it, you have your "official" proof and professional opinion. With that knowledge you can now "in writing" sent by Registered Mail with a Return Receipt Requested, inform the original DDS that you are giving him an opportunity to give you a "complete refund on the crowns" (which you will return to him after your new replacements are in place). Failure to do so will result in your filing a complaint with the State Dental Board, The State Consumer Affairs Department and the Better Business Bureau, and you will be contacting an attorney. Give him 20 day's to respond. If he fails, you want to file your stated complaints and include copies of the letter you wrote him plus copies of the Return Receipt....Good luck and I wish you well.