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Dental veneers can transform your smile, but what if you have gum disease (periodontal disease)? Before committing to veneers, it’s important to understand how gum health affects your options. Can you still get veneers, or do you need treatment first?
This article breaks down what’s possible, what’s not, and the steps you may need to take before achieving your dream smile.
You can get veneers if you have mild or treated gum disease, as long as your gum health is stable and no active infection is present.
If you have active or severe gum disease, you cannot get veneers until the condition is treated and your gum foundation is healthy.
What IS Possible
✅ If You Have Mild or Treated Gum Disease, Veneers May Be Possible
Mild gum disease, like gingivitis, does not necessarily disqualify you from getting veneers.
With proper treatment, like professional cleanings, improved oral hygiene routine, and the use of fluoride toothpaste, you can create a stable foundation for veneers.
- Mild form of gum disease: Treatable with periodontal treatments and improved oral hygiene.
- Signs of gum disease under control: No active disease or ongoing gum inflammation means you may be cleared for veneers.
- Stable tooth structure and roots: If the tooth roots and bone structures are intact, veneers are often possible.
Steps to Ensure You Are a Suitable Candidate
- Dental cleaning and check-up: Eliminate plaque accumulation and assess gum health.
- Treatment for gum disease: Address any underlying issues through scaling and root planing.
- Evaluation by a dental professional: Ensure that the stability of teeth is adequate for the veneer procedure.
What Is NOT Possible
🚫 If You Have Active Periodontal Disease, Veneers Are Not Recommended
When periodontal disease is not controlled, placing veneers can lead to premature veneer failure and severe dental issues.
Active disease can cause tooth mobility, tooth loosening, and even tooth loss. Here is what makes veneers impossible under these conditions:
- Severe gum disease (periodontal disease): Leads to bone damage, making it difficult to secure veneers.
- Tooth decay and weakened enamel: Affects the integrity of the natural teeth where veneers would be bonded.
- Gum tissue recession and inflammation: Creates gaps and an unstable foundation, risking the longevity of veneers.
Potential risks
- Bacterial infection trapped under veneers: Can worsen gum health.
- Tooth sensitivity and pain: Due to weakened tooth enamel.
- Veneer detachment: Caused by tooth mobility and bone loss.
What Can Be Done First: Treatment for Gum Disease
Before considering veneers, you need to restore gum health through a comprehensive treatment plan:
- Professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar.
- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for moderate gum disease.
- Antibiotic therapy to target bacterial infections.
- Bone grafting for cases with significant bone damage or jaw bone loss.
- Regular dental check-ups to monitor progress. Once the consequences of gum disease have been addressed, and you have a healthy smile, veneers may become an option.
Check out this blog for more information about gum disease treatment: 8 FAQs About Scaling and Root Planing.
Morris Dental Solutions: Your Partners in Oral Health
To determine whether veneers are right for you, schedule a consultation with Morris Dental Solutions.
Our experts will evaluate your gum health, recommend appropriate treatment options, and create a customized dental veneer treatment plan tailored to your needs.
To book an appointment at our dental office in Buffalo Grove, IL, call (847) 215-1511 or visit us at 195 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 160, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089.
