My Dentist Wants to Replace My Veneers with Crowns

Posted by AllSmiles

I got eight upper veneers in September 2022 to hide my dark teeth. My dentist was so confident that I would love them, but I could see the darkness of my teeth behind the veneer. My dentist has returned the veneers twice, trying to get the color right to hide my dark teeth, but she cannot do it. During my last exam and cleaning, my dentist asked me to think about getting crowns to replace the porcelain veneers. Why should I consider crowns because my dentist can’t get my veneers right? Shouldn’t she have known that it wouldn’t work before I agreed to veneers? Thanks. Tabitha

Porcelain veneer Tabitha,

Thank you for contacting Radiant Smiles of Rocky Hill regarding your porcelain veneers. We recommend that you do not agree to dental crowns from your dentist.

When Dark Teeth Show Through Porcelain Veneers

Advanced cosmetic dentists often prefer opalescent porcelains to hide dark teeth. Opalescent porcelains scatter light to create a perception of translucence while blocking out darkness from your teeth. Most dentists do not understand the technique and prefer dental crowns. Sometimes, even dental crowns will not prevent the color of very dark teeth from showing through.

Should You Replace Your Veneers with Crowns?

You should not replace your porcelain veneers with crowns unless your teeth are no longer healthy enough to support porcelain veneers. Dental crowns require shaving your teeth on every side for crowns to fit over them.

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation

Please look for an advanced cosmetic dentist in your area with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. The dentist will examine your teeth, bite, and veneers. A trained cosmetic dentist can determine how to manipulate porcelain to hide teeth discoloration while ensuring your smile looks natural.

The good news is that a dentist will not need to grind down your teeth for dental crowns. Consult with a trained cosmetic dentist first.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist sponsors this post.