Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to rebuild smiles after tooth loss because of their many unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they’re placed directly in the jawbone, making them more resilient and longer lasting than the alternatives.
But that doesn’t mean that everyone is a good candidate for this procedure. For instance, if you’re pregnant, you might question whether you can still undergo oral surgery. Continue reading to learn more about whether it’s safe to get dental implants when you’re expecting!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
These replacement teeth are the only ones that include a small post made of biocompatible materials, such as titanium or ceramic, surgically inserted into your jaw. Then it can take 3 to 6 months to recover because your mouth must generate enough new bone to fully fuse with the support rod, allowing it to function more like the root of a tooth.
Then, your periodontist can provide a lifelike restoration, such as a dental crown, bridge, or dentures, depending on how many teeth went missing, that attaches to your implants to close the gaps in your grin. This results in a more permanent prosthetic that can enhance your smile’s appearance and function for 20+ years if cared for correctly.
Do Dental Implants Pose Risks During Pregnancy?
Before proceeding with this service, you must consult your provider to ensure you’re a good candidate. It involves oral surgery, so your dental team will need to update your medical history and list any current prescriptions you’re taking to avoid doing anything that might negatively affect your general well-being. This is because certain conditions, including pregnancy, can affect the success of your treatment.
For instance, this procedure usually involves applying a local anesthetic or using sedation medications, which can potentially harm your baby in utero. It also requires X-rays or other scans and images that use radiation, which can put your unborn child at risk, especially during the first trimester.
Is it Possible to Get Dental Implants While Pregnant?
Depending on your unique circumstances, it may be possible to get dental implants while you’re pregnant, but your provider will need to take precautions to help protect you and your baby’s general well-being. For example, they will likely recommend waiting until your 2nd trimester or later to begin the process to avoid doing anything that could harm the baby during the early stages of gestation.
With that said, many providers prefer to wait until after delivery to proceed with dental implants unless the procedure is deemed medically necessary to protect the mother’s oral health.
If you’re expecting and you’re uncertain whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, you can find out by scheduling an appointment with your periodontist!
About the Practice
Patients at South Texas Periodontics & Implants benefit from a team of experts who are passionate about helping them build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. Dr. Garcia, Dr. Wu, and Dr. Hood collaborate to offer a variety of periodontal and surgical procedures using state-of-the-art technology for more comfortable, accurate outcomes. They have the expertise and equipment to place and restore dental implants in the office for your convenience. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (361) 992-7641.