Will My Gum Disease Need to Be Treated Before I Receive Cosmetic Dental Work?

Many people are interested in finding a way to achieve a more beautiful smile. This usually means making teeth whiter, covering up visible damage, or making them into a more pleasing shape, and cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of treatments that can achieve these goals. However, these treatments require the patient to have healthy gums before receiving them. Here’s why you may need to have your gum disease treated before receiving cosmetic dentistry.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an insidious little menace that starts almost imperceptibly small but can lead to serious oral health issues. This ailment is caused by harmful oral bacteria irritating and infecting the gum tissue. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums around the base of the teeth, and it can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene.

If gingivitis is allowed to progress, it will eventually become periodontitis, which causes permanent damage like tooth loss, jawbone erosion, and a receding gumline. It may even lead to dangerous secondary infections like sepsis or pneumonia. Periodontitis requires treatment from a qualified dentist to be resolved.

Can Gum Disease Prevent Me from Receiving Cosmetic Dental Treatments?

Any gum disease must be cleared up before receiving cosmetic dental work to avoid injury and the need for remedial dental work later. While cosmetic procedures like porcelain veneers or metal-free restorations can be an excellent way to transform a smile into a beautiful new state, they can also make it more difficult to detect issues like gum disease or tooth decay, making it important to clear these problems up before treatment.

How Can My Gum Disease Be Treated?

Consulting with your dentist is a great start for treating your gum disease. Your dentist may recommend improving your brushing and flossing practices and suggest a few ways to clean your teeth and gums more effectively. If your gum disease is in a more advanced stage, they may recommend periodontal treatments like scaling and root planing to clear it up. Once your gum disease has been eliminated, you may be ready for cosmetic dentistry.

About the Practice

Real Dental offers the finest oral health care available in Grand Prairie, TX. Led by Drs. Christopher Duong, John Kuan, Bradley Kou, and Liz Rodriguez, the staff treats each patient with genuine compassion and courtesy in a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (817) 406-7239.