It’s important to tell your dentist about cosmetic work or changes to your health and medications since you last visited us. Lip and cheek fillers do not mean you can’t have dental work. But your Norfolk, MA, dentist will take specific precautions when necessary to see that you get the dental care you need without disrupting your cosmetic work or medical treatments.
Dental work often requires maneuvering the lips and cheeks to gain better access to the treatment site. In some cases, dental work requires anesthesia with a needle. Because of these potential situations and others, your dentist must know your complete health history.
4 Things to Consider: Cosmetic Fillers and Dental Care
#1 Thorough Health History
Cosmetic fillers are an essential part of your health history. So, when your dentist or hygienist in Norfolk, MA, takes your history, be sure to include everything, no matter how insignificant you might think it is.
Remember, your dentist is also a medical professional regarding your teeth, gums, and overall oral wellness. As a medical professional, your dentist can take steps to ensure a safe dental treatment without disrupting your cosmetic work.
In some cases, if you’ve just had fillers—and the dental treatment is not significant or urgent, and the fillers are too close to the tissues needing dental care—your dentist may have you wait a week or two after fillers have settled before providing treatment.
#2 Displaced Fillers
Recent dermal fillers to the cheeks and lips can pose a risk to facial symmetry if followed by comprehensive dental work. When treating dental issues, your dentist may need to manipulate the lips and cheeks to gain entry to the treatment site. Sometimes, we also keep the mouth open via a device.
These situations can displace your fillers and change their positioning under the skin. When that happens, it can also change the results of your cosmetic facial treatment.
By letting your dentist know that you’ve had recent fillers that have not yet settled, we can make informed choices about your dental treatment. But, of course, we would never want to disrupt or displace your fillers!
#3 Too Soon after Filler Treatment
Most of the time, when your dentist decides to push back your dental treatment due to fillers, it is because your filler treatment is recent.
As the days and weeks go by, your fillers start to settle into position. Manipulating the cheeks and gums too early, before proper settling, can infringe on your cosmetic work.
But don’t be worried! Lip and cheek fillers do not mean you can never have dental work. Instead, it’s about strategic planning, so you enjoy a healthy smile and the benefits of your fillers.
#4 Minor Potential for Infection
Because some dental treatments require anesthesia with a small needle, there is a minor risk of infection. This infection is not related to dental work or your dermal fillers. Instead, it has to do with bacteria found naturally in the mouth entering the cheek or lip through the pinhole and causing irritation or infection at a filler site.
Remember, this is a minor risk! At Norfolk County Dental Care, we sterilize all equipment—meeting or exceeding OSHA standards. Your dentist will talk to you about any potential risks before starting treatment and may wait if your fillers are recent.
A Special Note on Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies may include:
- Toothache
- Swelling
- Jaw pain
- Oral Injury
If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your emergency dentist in Norfolk, MA. You should not ignore a dental emergency, even if you’ve recently had lip or cheek fillers. Doing so can cost you your tooth or even displace your fillers through swelling.
Always let our dental team know you’ve had recent cheek or lip fillers when you call to book your emergency dental visit.
Your Norfolk Dentist Recommends Preplanning
We recommend scheduling a dental visit beforehand if you’re planning to have work done on your face. That way, your dentist can find and treat any emerging dental issues before your cosmetic facial treatments. We also suggest teeth cleaning before dermal fillers to lower your risks for cavities and oral infections.
You might also consider professional teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry options to accentuate your new fillers further.
And always be sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily!
Contact Your Dentist Near Walpole, MA, Today
If you want to learn more about our dental treatments or are ready to schedule an appointment with the dentist, give us a call today.
We are happy to accept CareCredit financing and offer the exclusive NCDC Membership Club. This is for patients who do not have insurance. You can enjoy quality dental care and even discounts on specific treatments for a low annual fee. Ask a team member about limits and exclusions.
Norfolk County Dental Care proudly serves all areas, including Norfolk, Franklin, Walpole, Foxboro, Wrentham, Medfield, and your neighborhood.