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Before undergoing any cosmetic dental treatment, it is important to ensure that your oral health is in good condition. This is because any existing dental problems can potentially complicate or interfere with the cosmetic procedure, which may lead to less than ideal results.
Therefore, it is best to get a clean bill of oral health from your dentist before proceeding with any cosmetic dental treatment. Let’s take a deep dive into how good oral health affects cosmetic dental treatment.
If you have untreated tooth decay or cavities, your dentist will likely prioritize fixing those before providing any cosmetic treatments. This is because tooth enamel is essential for healthy teeth, and cosmetic treatments can’t be done without it. Once your enamel is restored, your dentist can then proceed with treatments like porcelain veneers or teeth whitening.
Just because you have a cavity doesn’t mean you have to make your appearance suffer in the process. Many dentists provide composite resin, which can be color-matched to your existing tooth enamel, when placing fillings, rather than using silver amalgam.
With this option, you don’t have to remove nearly as much enamel (if any at all) to place the filling, and your tooth will be repaired. You can then start thinking about your cosmetic options.
If you have gum disease, you’ve probably been told that you need a deep cleaning. In cases like this, it’s very common to have a small filling placed on the tooth to keep the gum tissue from receding even further.
Gum disease is a serious infection that can quickly spread if it’s not treated right away. Even though you might only be treating your teeth for cosmetic reasons, gum disease should be a higher priority. Having a bright or even smile won’t matter if your teeth are not securely in your gums and bone tissue.
If you have gingivitis, the treatment is relatively simple, so you won’t have to wait too long just to get your cosmetic treatment completed. A simple cleaning and improved at-home oral care routine are all that should be needed to treat gum disease in this stage.
If you have a broken tooth, it’s important to have it repaired as soon as possible. If you ignore it, the tooth could become infected, requiring a root canal.
In addition, the tooth could become a weak spot in your mouth and the rest of the tooth could break off. It’s much easier to repair a small chip or filling than it is to repair a broken tooth.