Dental Implants and Pregnancy

Pregnant women are encouraged by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association to get regular preventative oral health treatment, such as regular cleaning and exams. Elective operations such as dental implants can be performed after the first trimester, but most oral surgeons recommend waiting until the patient is no longer pregnant.

Treatment Options: Elective Dental Treatment vs. Required Dental Treatment

Before proceeding with any treatment in dentistry or medicine, we consider the risks and advantages. We strive to reduce the risk of injury to our patients at all times, but this is especially critical during pregnancy.

You may have had tooth fillings during a previous pregnancy, or a friend of yours may have had an infectious wisdom tooth removed during pregnancy—why are those operations OK, but dental implants are not? The distinction is that a dental implant operation is elective, which tips the scales when assessing the risks and advantages.

An infected tooth jeopardizes your and your baby's health-the risk of postponing treatment outweighs the risk of proceeding with it. There is no considerable health risk in waiting for dental implants, so there are more significant hazards in proceeding with the surgery. If you're concerned about having a gap in your smile, we can make you a temporary restoration to wear while you wait for your implant surgery.

Are There Any Changes in Oral Health During Pregnancy?

One of the reasons that dental implant surgery during pregnancy is dangerous is that variations in oral health can raise the chances of dental implant failure. Although no controlled studies on the rate of success of dental implants during pregnancy have been conducted, we understand that immune system changes, gum inflammation, and gestational diabetes all contribute to a greater rate of implant failure in pregnant women.

We want the patient to have good health for an ideal outcome while doing dental implant surgery, whether pregnant or not, man or woman, whole arch, or a single tooth.

Why Should Dental Implant Surgery Be Postponed During Pregnancy?

Pregnant patients are often given the all-clear for routine dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, and root canals after the first trimester.

According to research, a local anesthetic is perfectly safe during pregnancy. On the other hand, dental implants frequently necessitate more potent anesthetic, which might be hazardous to the expectant mother or her unborn child. Many treatments also include x-rays, which the ADA advises against during the first trimester.

When To Start Your Dental Implant Process During Pregnancy?

When you are in your second trimester, you can begin the dental implant process by consultation. At this time in your pregnancy, x-rays are safe, and we can assess the condition of your jawbone and determine whether a bone graft is required before inserting the implants.

How to Prepare for Dental Implant Procedure During Pregnancy?

You should preserve good oral health while waiting for dental implant surgery for the well-being of both you and your baby. Brushing and flossing are essential. A dental examination and professional cleaning are also recommended, as this allows your regular dentist to monitor your oral health and prevent problems from arising.

Complications After Dental Implant Surgery

We know that dental x-rays and local anesthetic provide a little risk to developing fetuses. Still, because your oral health may be damaged during pregnancy, you're more likely to get an infection or have your implant fail following surgery. Being pregnant severely restricts our therapeutic options for pain and disease if you have these issues.

When you're pregnant, you can't take some medicines. For example, an infection can be excruciatingly painful, but you won't be able to treat your symptoms with prescription meds or even the most over-the-counter pain killers.

All of this can lead to anxiety, and we all know that anxiety isn't good for pregnant women or their babies. The best alternative is to postpone your dental implant procedure until after your pregnancy is over.

Conclusion

While it's understandable to be unhappy that you can't have dental implants while pregnant, it doesn't mean you can't begin the procedure. Please arrange a consultation with us to start planning your implant restoration with you. We'll be ready to start working on your smile transformation as soon as your baby arrives.