Can You Get Dental Implants While Being Pregnant?

Dental implants are considered one of the most successful tooth restoration methods. They mimic the natural tooth in structure, restoring its aesthetics and functionality. Although implants are advantageous tooth restoration methods, not everyone can have them. Read on to find out whether a patient can get dental implants during pregnancy.

What Are Dental Implants, and How Do They Work?

They are replacement tooth roots made of tiny titanium posts. Implants contain a crown, bridge, or dentures that replace the tooth’s visible part, eliminating the gap. Therefore, they mimic the real tooth structure in function and aesthetics. The rest of the teeth are not altered or affected during the implant placement procedure.

Dental implants replace missing teeth with a custom-made natural-looking prosthetic. It closely resembles the adjacent teeth in shape and color, enhancing your smile. They help maintain a healthy bite, keep the adjacent teeth from shifting out of place and preserve the jaw bone. In addition, these teeth replacements can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

The titanium posts are surgically embedded into the jaw bone or placed above the jaw bone by a dentist. It takes many months for the implant to fuse with the jaw bone and become sturdy. When this happens, the dentist attaches custom-made prosthetics to the posts to replace the entire tooth. The implants provide stable support for the artificial teeth to function without issues.

Reasons to Avoid Dental Implants While Pregnant

Generally, dentists recommend avoiding elective procedures during pregnancy. These procedures pose no significant health risks if not performed immediately. Dental implants are considered elective procedures. There are more risks in undergoing the procedure than waiting.

Therefore, the dentist may ask you to wait until after birth before having the dental implant process. Other reasons for postponing replacing your missing teeth with dental implants in Whitby, ON, include:

• Several oral health changes during pregnancy can lead to dental implant failure. For example, the hormone increase causes gum inflammation, inhibiting recovery after surgery.
• A dental implant during pregnancy is not recommended due to changes in the woman’s immune system. The poor immunity increases the risk of infection in the operated area.
• X-ray images are usually taken while preparing to get dental implants. They help evaluate bone density and customize the treatment plan. Some x-ray machines emit radiation that is harmful to the unborn child.
• Fixing the implant into the jaw bone is invasive and painful. Therefore, the patient will need anesthesia and sedatives for a comfortable procedure. Some anesthetics and sedatives may not be safe for the mother and fetus. As a result, dentists avoid the implant process during pregnancy to protect the two.
• After the surgery, patients require medications to manage the pain and prevent infection. Pregnant patients cannot use most medicines because they harm the fetus. This limits the options available to alleviate post-surgical symptoms.
• The dental implant process is quite invasive, and the recovery period is long. Therefore, the patient may have stress and anxiety during the procedure. Excess stress may lead to high blood pressure, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

Getting Implants While Pregnant

As much as it is ideal to wait until the baby is born, you can still get dental implants during pregnancy. So, talk to a dentist in Whitby, ON if you feel you must restore your smile with implants and do not want to wait. The expert will consult your doctor before starting the process for dental implants in Whitby, ON. Then, they will weigh the risks to determine if you can have the procedure.

If they decide you can have the implants, you will have to wait until the second or third trimester. Invasive dental work in the first trimester risks the developing fetus unnecessarily. In addition, it may lead to severe complications such as a miscarriage. On the other hand, you may find it uncomfortable to have the process in the last trimester. The second trimester is the ideal period to get implants. You can have local anesthesia and x-rays without posing any risks to the child.

Contact us at DSV Dental Brooklin Village for an evaluation to determine if you can have implants while pregnant. If it is safe to proceed, we will take precautions during each step of the procedure to ensure your safety.