CASE · Cosmetic dentistry
Front Tooth Crown That Doesn’t Match? Replacing a PFM Crown and Adding 5 Veneers (Case Study)
A crown that looked fine years ago can start to stand out. This woman in her 30s had a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown on one upper front tooth after orthodontic treatment. We replaced it with an all-ceramic crown and placed porcelain veneers on the other five upper front teeth, with gum contouring to even out the gum line.
Case at a glance
- Concern: A front crown that does not match the other teeth and looks like it sticks out (woman in her 30s)
- Diagnosis: PFM crown on the upper right central incisor with a poor margin, mismatched color and too much bulk; a lesion at the root tip of the same tooth (no symptoms); secondary decay around old fillings; midline off-center; uneven gum heights on the laterals
- Treatment: All-ceramic crown on the upper right central incisor, CERANATE veneers on the other five upper front teeth, gum contouring on both laterals
- Design: thin gum type, so the crown margin was placed 0.5 mm below the gum line
- Follow-up: the root-tip lesion is monitored at check-ups
What was wrong with the old crown?
A PFM crown has a metal core that blocks light, so it looks less translucent than natural teeth. Her crown no longer fit neatly at the gum line, and the gum around it looked slightly bluish-grey.
From the side and below, the crown was over-contoured and looked like it stuck out, which bothered her most.
What else did the examination find?
The X-ray showed a lesion at the root tip of the crowned tooth. Because there were no symptoms, we remade the crown first, and explained beforehand that retreatment of the root canal, or extraction and an implant, could be needed if symptoms appear later.
Other front teeth had secondary decay around old fillings, which we removed during the veneer treatment. There was also a small space between the upper and lower teeth, possibly left after braces or from relapse.
How was the treatment planned?
- Upper right central incisor: remove the old crown, reinforce the core if needed, and place an all-ceramic crown with reduced bulk
- Thin gum type: place the margin 0.5 mm below the gum line for a natural look
- Both lateral incisors: gum contouring to even out the heights
- Other five upper front teeth: veneers to balance proportions, correct the midline and close the space
All-ceramic crowns have no metal, so they let light through and can match natural teeth more closely.
What did the result look like?
The color mismatch and bulk are gone, and the smile line blends with the surrounding teeth. Gum contouring evened out the gum heights on both sides.
Aftercare and cost
- If you grind or clench, wear a night guard
- Avoid biting hard foods like ice or nuts with your front teeth
- Have the gums, restorations and the root-tip lesion checked every 6 months
Typical fees per tooth: front all-ceramic or zirconia crown KRW 700,000 (about USD 528); porcelain veneer KRW 550,000–770,000 including VAT (about USD 415–581). Converted at USD 1 = KRW 1,325 on 2026-10-23.
Frequently asked questions
Can just one front crown be replaced?
Yes. Some patients, like this one, also treat the neighboring teeth so color and shape match.
PFM vs all-ceramic: what is the difference?
PFM has a metal core, which can show a dark line or make the gums look grey. All-ceramic has no metal and can look more translucent.
Can a new crown be made if there is a lesion at the root tip?
If there are no symptoms, we sometimes proceed while monitoring it, and explain possible future treatment in advance.
How long will it last?
It depends on your bite and home care. Regular check-ups of the margins and gums are important.
This case was treated at our clinic. The article was medically reviewed by Dr. Sunmin Kim, our lead dentist and a board-certified orthodontist.
About the reviewer
Dr. Sunmin Kim is the lead dentist at Ceramic Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a board-certified orthodontist (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea) with a PhD from Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Our clinic is registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to treat international patients.
Important information
This is a real case. Results, treatment time and the number of visits vary from person to person.
How much tooth structure is removed for veneers or crowns depends on the case. Some cases can be no-prep or minimal-prep (case by case, decided after diagnosis), others need more. After bonding, sensitivity, chipping, debonding or gum changes can occur, so regular check-ups are needed.
Photos show teeth only and are published with the patient’s consent. Fees are as of October 2026.
Questions about your own teeth?
Send us photos of your teeth for a preliminary opinion. A final plan and quote are given after an in-person examination.
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