Why Does Your Dentist Need To Know About Your Lip And Cheek Fillers?
Posted on: 14 March 2023
Most cosmetic procedures are elective—as in, you elect to have them performed. The same is true for many dental procedures. Some are a clinical requirement (such as having a cavity filled, or root canal treatment), whereas some are cosmetic and elective (such as teeth whitening). But there are some cosmetic procedures that can temporarily interfere with your ability to undergo dental treatment. Why is it so important to tell your dentist about any lip or cheek filler you've received?
Time to Settle
Dermal fillers should ideally be given time to settle. This means that the effects of the filler will be maximized, with predictable results. Any manipulation of the treated part of your face is unwise, which is why you'll be told to temporarily avoid touching your lips and cheeks if possible. This also prevents the filler from moving, since this will dissipate the effects of the treatment. It's impossible for a dentist to provide clinical or elective treatment without touching your lips, and to a lesser extent, your cheeks.
Gingival Tissues
In addition to minimizing the effect (and visual impact) of your dermal fillers, undergoing dental treatment shortly after receiving fillers carries a small health risk—especially for procedures that require an injection in your gum tissues. The most common use of an injection is to deliver a local anesthetic, but this puncture in your gingival tissues may have undesired side effects.
Oral Bacteria
The injection could theoretically create a passage where naturally occurring oral bacteria are introduced to the site where you received your dermal filler. Some local migration of bacteria is quite standard in dental treatment, but your immune system may protest when this bacteria comes into contact with your introduced dermal fillers. An infection may develop. This is unlikely to be serious, but may be uncomfortable, and can minimize the effects of your dermal fillers.
Emergency Needs
Dental treatment immediately after receiving dermal fillers in your lips and cheeks is not recommended. The clinic or spa that provided your fillers can tell you when it's safe to undergo dental treatment again (likely to be a matter of weeks). Any elective dental procedures should be scheduled for after this time. Don't hesitate to receive emergency treatment, despite the presence of any dermal fillers. Your dentist can take every precaution during treatment. Although your fillers can complicate treatment, this treatment is preferable to the possible serious complications of ignoring the need for emergency dental work.
To be clear, dermal fillers in the distant past aren't an issue. However, recent dermal fillers can mean that elective dental work may need to be delayed.
For more information, contact a local dentist.
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