Everyone wants a beautiful smile, and cosmetic dentistry has allowed millions of people to brighten up and straighten out their teeth into a gorgeous new grin. While your dentist will be more than happy to provide you with cosmetic dental services, they may need to address oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease before you can undergo these procedures. Here are a few cosmetic dental treatments and why it is so important that you have a healthy mouth before receiving them.
Teeth Whitening Is Frightening If You Have Cavities
Many people are shy about showing their smiles because of stubborn stains and discoloration that won’t respond to normal dental hygiene practices. Fortunately, your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening treatments that can bleach out these unsightly blemishes and leave you with a white and bright smile. However, these treatments use strong, professional-grade whitening gel. Cavities represent open, infected wounds in the teeth, and exposing them to this whitening gel can damage the tooth and cause the patient severe discomfort. All cavities must be treated before receiving teeth whitening.
Tooth Decay Can Sabotage Your Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can completely transform a smile in as few as two appointments, and they are the open secret behind the flawless grins of many of your favorite Hollywood stars. These veneers are thin porcelain shells designed to be cemented to flawed teeth after they have been prepared, covering up defects like cracks, stains, and chips. They can even address alignment issues like gaps or crooked teeth in some cases.
To prepare a tooth for veneers, the dentist will remove a tiny amount of enamel to make room. If the tooth has any tooth decay when a veneer is placed, the infection will continue to progress after the treatment. As the tooth continues to deteriorate, the veneer will eventually be lost. To keep this from happening, you will need to have your cavities cleared up before getting porcelain veneers.
Cosmetic dentistry has allowed millions of people to improve their appearance and bolster their confidence. Consulting with your dentist can determine which cosmetic dental procedures are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nicholas Slezak earned his dental doctorate at Case Western Reserve University and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. His four offices in Painesville, Chardon, and Jefferson, OH offer preventive, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. To learn more about what cosmetic dentistry can do for you, contact his office online.