Can you get a dental filling if you have periodontitis?

Oct 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
In general, whether dental fillings can be performed in the presence of periodontitis depends on the specific condition of the disease. If the inflammation is mild and the site requiring filling is far from the affected area, a filling may usually be done. However, if the inflammation is severe or significant bone loss has already occurred, direct dental filling is not recommended. Before receiving a filling, thorough oral cleaning is necessary to remove dental plaque and tartar, thereby reducing inflammatory irritation. After the filling, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth morning and night and rinsing the mouth after meals.

Generally speaking, whether dental fillings can be performed in cases of periodontitis depends on the specific condition of the periodontal disease. Fillings may be possible if the inflammation is mild and the filling site is far from the affected area; however, if the inflammation is severe or significant bone loss has occurred, direct dental fillings are not recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If periodontitis is mild, with only slight redness and bleeding of the gums, without deepening of periodontal pockets or tooth mobility, and the tooth requiring a filling is located away from the inflamed gum area, dental fillings can usually proceed. In such cases, the underlying tooth condition is relatively stable. The restoration is unlikely to be compromised by inflammatory spread after the filling, and the filling procedure itself will not excessively irritate the mildly inflamed periodontal tissues, allowing normal recovery of chewing function.

If periodontitis is more severe, with obvious gum swelling and pain, periodontal pocket depth exceeding 4 millimeters, or accompanied by alveolar bone loss and noticeable tooth mobility, direct dental fillings are not advised. When inflammation is severe, periodontal tissues are in an unstable state. Proceeding directly with fillings may worsen the inflammation, and tooth mobility could prevent proper adhesion of the filling material, potentially leading to post-filling pain or filling dislodgement. It is essential to first control the inflammation before reassessing the feasibility of dental fillings.

Prior to filling, thorough oral cleaning is necessary to remove dental plaque and tartar, thereby reducing inflammatory irritation. After the filling, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth morning and night, rinsing after meals, and scheduling regular follow-up visits to monitor periodontal health and check for recurrence of inflammation. If persistent gum swelling and pain or discomfort during biting occur after the filling, prompt medical evaluation is needed to avoid delaying periodontitis treatment or compromising the success of the filling.