Can you get veneers if you have gum disease?

It’s not difficult to understand why veneers are so popular. They’re a great way of covering cracked, chipped or discoloured teeth. The colour of the veneers will be matched to your teeth in order to blend in perfectly. Alternatively you can fit veneers on all your teeth to ‘iron out’ any minor imperfections and give you a dazzling smile. Veneers are a great solution to a cosmetic problem, but we do often get asked ‘can you get veneers if you have gum disease?’

To understand the answer to this question, it’s a good idea to look at what gum disease is.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

The milder form of gum disease is gingivitis, which is an inflammation caused by a build-up of dental plaque. Bleeding gums are the first indication you have tooth decay, though you are also likely to notice gum tissue inflammation and reddening. Gingivitis is best prevented by brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, as well as regular check-ups and regular visits to the hygienist, who will help you keep on top of your oral hygiene.

If left untreated, gingivitis could go on to become periodontitis, a chronic inflammation caused by bacterial microorganisms that can destroy the bone around the teeth, which could result in tooth loss.

Gingivitis and periodontitis don’t just affect the teeth – they have been linked with serious health conditions. Patients with gingivitis are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and even cancer, and periodontitis has been linked with more than fifty diseases and conditions, including heart disease, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.

How gum disease would affect dental veneers

If your gums are swollen when we take an impression of your natural teeth, it will result in a poorly fitting veneer. The process of taking the impression could also irritate the affected gum and cause more bleeding. If the plaque and bacteria causing the gum disease isn’t dealt with, it will make the bond between the veneer and the tooth much weaker, shortening the lifespan of the veneer. An additional danger is that the gum disease might damage the veneers or dental implants themselves, again shortening their lifespan.

Can you have veneers if you have gum disease?

It’s pretty clear therefore that, no, we cannot fit veneers if you have periodontal disease. You can’t have that beautiful smile if your teeth and gums aren’t healthy, so we will never do cosmetic dentistry treatments unless your oral health is up to scratch and your gums are in good condition.

What happens on your initial consultation for veneers

It is necessary to treat and clear gum disease before starting any cosmetic dental procedure such as veneers. That’s why we will always give you a dental check-up and take an X-ray to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and free of gum disease before we begin any cosmetic treatments. We need strong teeth and gums to fit the veneers to, so if there is too much plaque or you have periodontal disease, our dental hygienist will treat gum disease first. That way we can make sure the veneers will be a perfect fit and will last for as long as possible. If you look after them, your porcelain veneers could last between 10 and 15 years.

To discuss some of our popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, get in touch with our dental clinic to bring your smile to life.