Will I need to replace a porcelain veneer with a crown if I have a cavity? My upper left lateral incisor has a cavity, so my dentist wants to replace the porcelain veneer with a crown. He said that since the tooth has a cavity, a crown will provide better protection. – Thanks. Kenji from CA
Kenji,
Achieving a precise match between a new crown and existing porcelain veneers is exceptionally difficult. Only a small percentage of dentists (around 2%) possess the specialized skill set required for such an outcome. We’ve seen numerous cases where patients were dissatisfied with their dentists’ attempts to match a crown to their porcelain veneers.
Does a Cavity Require Replacing a Porcelain Veneer with a Crown?
You didn’t specify the cavity’s size, but dentists usually use crowns on exceptionally large cavities. A porcelain veneer is a minimally invasive treatment that requires only a small amount of enamel to be removed from the front of the tooth. In contrast, a crown on a front tooth is a highly aggressive procedure, as it involves grinding down the tooth to a small stub. A crown would only be justified if a significant portion of the tooth has decayed.
Your dentist may be more comfortable with crowns than with porcelain veneers, which could influence his recommendation. It’s also possible the cavity is located at the edge of your porcelain veneer—a vulnerable spot for decay—and your dentist may lack the specialized training or equipment necessary to properly bond a composite filling to the veneer for long-lasting results.
If a family dentist handles your routine care for porcelain veneers, we advise seeking a dentist with extensive postgraduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
How Can You Reduce the Risks of Getting a Cavity in a Porcelain Veneer Tooth?
You can reduce the risk of getting a cavity in a porcelain veneer tooth by limiting how often you snack. Snacking introduces your teeth to bacteria, which promotes decay. Porcelain veneers are more susceptible to decay at the margin where the porcelain and tooth meet. Floss daily.
Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.