Do I Need Gum Disease Treatment Before My Cosmetic Procedure?

Everyone wants to feel confident about the appearance of their teeth. A beautiful smile can make a huge difference in how you perceive yourself and the image you project onto others. The good news is that you can work toward your dream smile with a wide variety of cosmetic treatments. However, if you have gum disease, you may need to put this on hold. You need to have healthy gum tissue before you can commit to cosmetic treatment. Read on to learn more about gum disease and how it can be treated.

Why Do I Need Gum Disease Treatment Before Cosmetic Work?

Gum disease needs to be completely eliminated before you can have elective dental work completed. This is because some procedures, like veneers, can make it more challenging to detect certain issues in the mouth, like tooth decay and gum disease. This could cause them to progress, and you could require additional treatment later on. After the infection of the gums is eradicated, you can begin planning your cosmetic journey.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease is the result of inflammation and infections of the gum tissue and bones that surround and support the teeth. When this infection is left untreated, it can progress, causing you to experience various issues, like:

• Swollen gums
• Painful chewing
• Tooth sensitivity
• Halitosis
• Bleeding or tender gums
• Gum recession
• Loose teeth
• Tooth loss

How Does Gum Disease Treatment Work?

After examining your smile, your dentist will construct a treatment plan that works best for you. It could include any of the following.

• Scaling & Root Planing: This is a non-surgical treatment that is used to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth before smoothing down the surface of the rotos to promote healing.
• Antibiotic Therapy: Antibiotic therapy can be used to fight infection, improving the effects of other treatments, like scaling and root planing.
• Laser Periodontal Therapy: A soft-tissue laser is used to kill harmful bacteria beneath the gumline, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. No scalpels or sutures are necessary.
• Pocket Reduction Surgery: In some cases, changes to your gums can remain even after the infection is eliminated – like enlarged gum pockets. Pocket reduction surgery can be used to restore the gums, reducing your risk of future infection.
• Soft-Tissue Grafting: If you’ve experienced significant gum recession in an area, a gum graft can be performed to restore the function and health of the gums, protecting the roots of the teeth from damage.

Cosmetic dentistry is exciting, but you need to start with a health foundation. By seeking gum disease treatment first, you can look forward to beautiful results!

About the Author

At Sunrise Dental Center, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Houston area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (713) 869-9973.