Is replacing a porcelain veneer with a dental crown necessary if I have a cavity in the tooth? My dentist found a cavity on my top left incisor during my dental cleaning and exam last week. I have veneers on my 8 front teeth and prefer not to have a veneer replaced with a crown. Isn’t this aggressive? How could a crown match the veneers? Thank you. Jillian from White Plains, NY

Jillian,

We wish we had your dental records and knew more about your case. We recommend getting a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist. We will explain why.

Can You Match a Dental Crown to Porcelain Veneers?

Although it is possible to match a dental crown to porcelain veneers, only about two percent of cosmetic dentists have the skills and artistic talent to do it. Most dentists and their laboratories don’t understand how to achieve a match. Your concerns about a mismatch are valid.

What Is the Size of the Cavity of the Porcelain Veneer Tooth?

If a cavity is so large that restoring the tooth would result in losing at least 20 percent of the tooth’s structure, you might need a dental crown. Otherwise, a dentist would shave every side of your tooth to accommodate the crown. We suspect your dentist is more familiar with dental crowns than porcelain veneers and offering your treatment options on their preference.

A dentist can fill a cavity on the edge of a porcelain veneer’s tooth with dental bonding. Again, only advanced cosmetic dentists have the training and equipment to use composite filling and ensure it matches your porcelain veneers.

Can You Keep Your Porcelain Veneer Instead of Getting a Crown?

You may be able to keep your porcelain veneer depending on the condition of your tooth. If the tooth is savable, understand that a general family dentist cannot achieve what you want. Although most family dentists claim to practice cosmetic dentistry, only a dentist with post-graduate (and ongoing) training and experience can produce beautiful work with crowns or veneers.

We recommend scheduling consultations with at least two skilled cosmetic dentists. Look for dentists with extensive cosmetic dentistry training.

Meanwhile, try to limit how often you snack during the day. Porcelain veneers can be susceptible to decay at the margin where a veneer and tooth meet. Each time you eat, you expose your teeth to bacteria-producing acid. Floss daily to clean the margin.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.