I could use some advice. I have porcelain veneers and one of them has developed a cavity. My current dentist said that to treat the cavity he would need to remove the porcelain veneer and replace it with a dental crown. Is this the new procedure? I seem to remember when this happened once before that my old dentist was able to replace the veneer.
Helena
Dear Helena,
I am a tad concerned about the advice you are getting. I wish I knew more about the decay you are referring to. Though, to need a dental crown on a tooth there would have to be extensive decay. In fact, 30% of the tooth would need to be decayed.
It is more likely that your dentist is suggesting a crown instead of replacing the porcelain veneer because he does not feel comfortable placing the veneers. Even if you went with a porcelain crown, which he’s more comfortable with, it would be unlikely that either he or his lab would be able to match the crown to the remaining veneers. There have, in fact, been many patients who ended up disappointed with the results in just such a circumstance.
I would like you to get a second opinion by a dentist who does smile makeovers with porcelain veneers regularly. Have them look at the tooth. Do not tell them what your other dentist said. If he or she asks, then tell them you’d prefer to get their unbiased opinion based simply on their own examination.
I suspect, you will be able to replace it with another veneer. The most common place that a veneer is vulnerable is at the edge of the veneer. A dentist would need to have both the training and equipment to bond the composite to the veneer. Without that, the filling will not stay in place.
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