My dentist wants to replace my porcelain veneer with a crown because I have a cavity in the veneer tooth. I have eight veneers. Is this my only option? Thank you. Stacie from CT
Stacie,
A cavity in a porcelain veneer tooth is rare. Consult a cosmetic dentist.
We recommend getting a second opinion before allowing your dentist to replace your porcelain veneer with a crown. A second opinion can help you feel confident about your treatment choice.
Several reasons for concern are:
- Matching the Crown to Your Veneers – Matching a dental crown to surrounding veneers is challenging for most dentists. Perhaps 2% of dentists have advanced cosmetic dentistry training and experience to do it.
- Determining Treatment Based on Cavity Size—A dentist should only recommend replacing a porcelain veneer with a crown for a cavity if the cavity is large. In that case, removing the decay may require removing so much tooth structure that the tooth cannot retain a porcelain veneer. If the cavity is on the edge of your tooth, your dentist may not have the training or equipment to fill the cavity. Preparing a tooth for a dental crown will require grinding it on all sides to ensure it fits over it.
- Your Dentist’s Experience = Most family and general dentists don’t do cosmetic dentistry often enough to skillfully remove a cavity from a porcelain veneer tooth. Often, the dentist will recommend a crown instead because they are more comfortable with crown placement.
We cannot say that your dentist’s treatment recommendation is wrong. However, if you are uncomfortable with replacing your porcelain veneers with a crown, get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist. Search online for cosmetic dentists, look at their bios on their websites, and check for extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
It is unusual to get a cavity on a porcelain veneer tooth because it covers the front of the tooth. Floss diligently between your teeth and limit snacking. You may also want a cosmetic dentist to check the quality of the bond between your tooth and the porcelain veneer.
Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Szarek strives to give his patients the best dental care in Lowell.