Why Old Crowns Can Look Too Wide or Too Short — And How We Fix Them

So this patient came in with two older crowns. And the first thing she said was they felt off. Just off. She couldn’t really explain it beyond that.

When I looked at them, I could see it right away. The teeth looked too wide. Too short. Completely out of balance with everything else. And that’s something I see pretty often with older dental work. Sometimes the proportions were wrong from the start. Sometimes things shift over time. Either way, the result is the same. The smile doesn’t look right.

What Dr. Espino Says About Crown Proportions

“There is a lot that goes into making somebody’s smile makeover. In this case, the patient had two older crowns that felt off. The teeth looked too wide, too short, and completely out of balance. By adjusting the length-to-width ratio, adding dimension, and refining proportions with cosmetic ceramic crowns and veneers, we can completely change how a smile looks and feels. The result? A more natural, balanced, and confident smile.“

Why Length-to-Width Ratio Matters

When I’m evaluating a crown, one of the first things I look at is the length-to-width ratio. That’s just the relationship between how tall the tooth is versus how wide it is. There’s a natural proportion that looks right to the human eye.

If a tooth is too wide and too short, it looks stubby. Blocky. Unnatural. Even if the patient can’t explain exactly what’s wrong, they can feel it. Something’s off.

So what do we do? We rebuild the crown with the correct proportions. We add length where it’s needed. We refine the width. We add dimension so the tooth doesn’t look flat or two-dimensional.

And when you get those proportions right, the whole smile changes. Not just that one tooth. The whole thing.

What Happens When Old Crowns Are Out of Balance

Old crowns can look out of balance for a few different reasons. Sometimes they were made that way from the start. The lab didn’t follow natural tooth anatomy. Or the dentist didn’t communicate the design properly. That happens more than you’d think.

Other times, the crown was fine initially. But over the years, things change. The gums recede a little. The bite shifts. The crown starts to look too short or too wide relative to the surrounding teeth. Suddenly it doesn’t blend in anymore.

When crowns are out of balance, they draw attention. Not in a good way. They make the smile look unnatural. And they can really affect how the patient feels about themselves.

That’s why I take proportion so seriously. It’s not just about making something that fits. It’s about making something that looks like it belongs there.

How We Restore Natural Proportions with Ceramic Crowns

So here’s how I approach it. First, I evaluate the existing crowns and the surrounding teeth. What’s the natural length-to-width ratio for this patient? What proportions will look balanced with their face? With their smile?

Then I design new crowns that follow those proportions. I’m not just replacing what was there. I’m rebuilding the teeth with correct anatomy.

That means adjusting the length. Refining the width. Adding contour and dimension so the teeth look three-dimensional. Not flat.

I use ceramic because it mimics natural enamel. It has translucency. Reflects light the same way real teeth do. And when it’s designed with the right proportions, it looks completely natural.

I’ve had other dentists look at my work and not be able to tell the difference. That’s the goal.

Why We Use Both Crowns and Veneers

In some cases, we use a combination of crowns and veneers. Why? Because not every tooth needs a full crown.

If a tooth is healthy and just needs cosmetic improvement, a veneer is the better option. More conservative. Less invasive. We preserve more of the natural tooth structure.

But if a tooth already has a crown, or if it has significant damage or a large filling, then a crown is the right choice. Provides full coverage and protection while also restoring the aesthetics.

By combining crowns and veneers strategically, we can create a balanced, natural-looking smile that addresses both function and appearance. It’s not one-size-fits-all. Every case is different.

What Makes Riverview Dental Arts Different

At Riverview Dental Arts, I design and fabricate all ceramic restorations in our on-site dental laboratory. That’s not typical. Most offices send everything out to a commercial lab. And that’s fine.

But when I’m doing the work directly, I have complete control over the proportions. The color. The contour. Everything.

And if something needs adjusting after placement, we handle it immediately. No waiting weeks for a remake. That level of precision and quality control makes a big difference in the final result.

I’ve been doing this for over 15 years now. Completed over 150 smile transformations. And every case teaches me something.

The goal is always the same: create restorations that look natural, feel comfortable, and last for years.

What to Expect During Your Crown Replacement

If you’re dealing with old crowns that don’t look right, here’s what the process looks like.

First, we’ll schedule a free consultation. I’ll evaluate your existing crowns and we’ll talk about what’s bothering you. What do you want to change? What are your goals?

Using digital smile design technology, I can show you a preview of what your new smile will look like. That helps a lot. You’ll know exactly what to expect before we even start.

Next, we’ll prepare the teeth and take precise digital scans. You’ll leave with temporary crowns, so you’re never without teeth. While you’re wearing the temporaries, I’m in the lab designing and milling your permanent restorations.

At the final appointment, we bond the new crowns in place. And the transformation is immediate.

Most patients are surprised by how natural the result looks. And how much better it feels. That’s what I hear a lot. “It just feels right now.”

We schedule a follow-up a week or two later to make sure everything is comfortable and functioning well. Sometimes minor adjustments are needed. That’s normal. We handle it.

Is Crown Replacement Right for You?

Crown replacement might be the right solution if you’re dealing with any of these issues.

If you have old crowns that look too wide, too short, or out of balance, we can replace them with properly proportioned restorations. If your crowns don’t match the color of your natural teeth, we can fix that. If they feel bulky or uncomfortable, we can rebuild them with better contour and fit.

And if you just want a more natural, confident smile, this is one of the most effective ways to get there.

It’s not just cosmetic. It’s functional. It’s about creating something that works and looks right.

Transform Your Smile with Better Proportions

If you’re not happy with your old crowns, we can help. By adjusting the length-to-width ratio, adding dimension, and refining proportions with cosmetic ceramic crowns and veneers, we can completely change how your smile looks and feels.

Come in for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your existing dental work, talk through your options, and show you what’s possible.

No pressure. Just honest answers from a dentist with over 15 years of experience creating natural, balanced smiles.

Want to see more real smile transformations?
You can explore more before-and-after cases in our smile makeover gallery.