When a tooth becomes damaged or develops decay—a condition known as a “cavity”—tooth-colored composite fillings can be an excellent option for restoring the health of the tooth while maintaining a natural-looking aesthetic. However, many of our cosmetic dentistry patients wonder if having fillings may prevent them from getting porcelain veneers. 

In most cases, teeth with fillings can absolutely also be treated with veneers. As is the case with most veneer treatments, your dentist will likely need to remove a thin layer of enamel (and possibly filling material, depending on the size and location of the filling) from the outer layer of the tooth in order to prepare the surface for veneer placement. Once the veneer has been bonded, it should be as strong and durable as a veneer adhered to a non-filled tooth. 

That said, sometimes larger fillings—such as those that represent over half of the tooth surface—may make the veneer application process more difficult. In these cases, your cosmetic dentist may instead recommend a custom-crafted porcelain dental crown. Not only can a crown achieve similarly beautiful and natural-looking smile enhancement results, but it can also help provide support for the compromised tooth structure. 

When performed by an extensively trained and experienced cosmetic dentist—such as our cosmetic dentist in The Woodlands, Dr. Brian Stanworth, DDS—the result of a porcelain veneer bonded over composite filling material should be a stable, reliable, natural-looking outcome with long-lasting results. 

To learn more about porcelain veneers, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stanworth, please contact Signature Smiles today.