Are you missing one or more permanent teeth, and planning on replacing them with durable, natural-looking dental implants? The great news is that these lifelike prosthetics can permanently restore your gorgeous grin, but if you are currently expecting, your smile makeover will need to take a pregnant pause. Here’s why.
Dental Treatment and the Stages of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, based on the development of your growing baby. During the first trimester, it is important to avoid certain dental treatments unless they are deemed medically necessary and not correcting the problem would pose a greater risk to mother and child than fixing it. For example, because a tooth infection could spread throughout the body, a root canal may get the green light during the first trimester, while another treatment such as filling a small cavity or taking X-rays should wait.
During the second trimester, it is a bit safer to complete certain oral health procedures. Local anesthesia is safe for minor treatments, as are X-rays, but only if absolutely necessary. Because dental implants are considered elective, this procedure would not be approved at any time during pregnancy.
Getting Started with Dental Implants
Though you cannot have dental implant surgery during pregnancy, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the process started. During the second trimester, a consultation with your dentist should pose no risk to your pregnancy. This is because you will likely need to have X-rays taken, so you should wait until after the first trimester, and even then, it will be at the discretion of you and your dentist.
In addition to dental implant surgery itself being too risky to perform on a pregnant patient, the antibiotics prescribed following the surgery should not be given during gestation, nor should the strong anesthesia needed during the procedure itself. Furthermore, normal hormonal fluctuations during this time could increase your risk of dental implant failure after the procedure.
When is it Safe to Have Dental Implant Surgery?
Once you’ve given birth to your baby and are feeling up to it, your dentist will be happy to continue the dental implant process but do be sure to allow yourself some time to recover. While your oral health is very important, so too is your physical and mental health. Don’t force yourself to heal faster than you should. Take as much time as you need to bond with your baby and feel like yourself again. Your dentist will be there when you’re ready to proceed!
Remember, although getting dental implants is not recommended during pregnancy, it is perfectly safe to begin the process with a consultation. Then, when the time is right, you can return to your dentist and begin the exciting journey to your newly restored smile!
About Dr. Starostik
Dr. Alec Starostik graduated from the University at Buffalo with degrees in both biology and geology and earned his DMD at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. He is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and Spear Education. If you are interested in learning more about how dental implants can replace missing teeth and restore your beautiful smile, please contact Centre Smiles Dental by visiting our website or calling us today at 814-234-0329.