Cosmetic dentistry has allowed millions of people to have brighter, more beautiful smiles. You’ve undoubtedly seen many celebrities enjoying its results on TV or in movies, and advances in dental technology have made these treatments more available to the general public. However, a mouth must be in good health before it can receive cosmetic dental treatments. Here are a few forms of cosmetic dentistry and why they may require the patient to receive restorative dental work before being performed.
What Treatment Might I Need Before Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
Teeth see a lot of use, wear, and tear throughout the decades, and this leads to many people having minor but irksome flaws like chips, cracks, gaps, and stains in their teeth. Fortunately, cosmetic dental bonding can repair many of these flaws in minutes with no anesthesia during a routine dental appointment. To do this, your dentist will apply a little bit of tooth-colored composite resin to a flaw and shape this putty-like substance so it covers the defect and matches the contours of the rest of the smile. The bond is then hardened with an ultraviolet light.
However, if your tooth has a cavity, applying a dental bond may be a wasted effort. Cavities do not get better on their own and will get worse until they lead to tooth loss without professional treatment. Covering up a cavity with a dental bond could be the worst thing you can do, as this can allow the infection to fester as it is ignored. You will need to have any cavities treated before you receive dental bonding.
What Ailments Can Get in the Way of Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments from your dentist can take years of stains and discoloration off your teeth, leaving them up to ten shades whiter. However, the professional-grade whitening agents used during these treatments can be irritating to vulnerable tissues. A cavity is an open wound in your tooth, and if you have one anywhere in your smile, a teeth-whitening treatment can damage the sensitive tissues within while causing severe discomfort for the patient. Cavities will need to be treated before you have a teeth whitening treatment.
How Healthy Does My Mouth Need to Be for Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are the open secret behind many Hollywood smiles. These appliances are cemented to teeth to cover extensive cracks, chips, gaps, and stains. While they are made from durable materials and immune to tooth decay themselves, they require strong and healthy teeth to support them. Placing a veneer on a tooth with a cavity is most likely a wasted effort, as the veneer will have to be removed and replaced so the infection can be treated. Dentists will not place veneers before treating any cavities.
Don’t let gum disease or a few cavities get in the way of a better smile. Scheduling a dentist’s appointment to clean your teeth and resolve any issues while practicing excellent oral hygiene can put you on the path to receiving cosmetic dental treatments.
About the Author
Dr. Ramona Rivera graduated from NYU School of Dentistry in 2010 and completed the Loma Linda University Maxi Dental Implant program. She is proud to be a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry and the California Dental Association. Her office in Fair Oaks, CA offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as the treatments listed here. For more information on getting cosmetic dentistry, contact the office online or dial (916) 967-2217.