Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your life. Tasks that you once found easy are much more difficult. This includes chewing food, speaking clearly, and smiling without feeling self-conscious. Tooth loss can also lead to additional oral health issues over time, including bone loss, misalignment, and further tooth loss. Fortunately, dental implants are available to give you your smile back, but what if you are pregnant? Are dental implants still an option? Here’s what you should know.
Should Pregnant Women Wait to Get Dental Implants?
After losing a tooth, it is recommended to get dental implants as soon as you can. This is because bone absorption can happen very quickly. However, the same recommendation doesn’t apply to pregnant women. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association encourage pregnant women to seek preventing oral care, like dental cleanings and exams. Emergency dental treatment, like a dental filling or root canal treatment, may also be necessary. Elective treatments, including dental implants, are better left until after your baby is born.
Why Is Waiting Necessary?
When it comes to getting dental implants, there is little risk when waiting. On the other hand, there are more risks to going through surgery during pregnancy. One of the main reasons is that there are oral health changes that happen during pregnancy that can increase your risk of dental implant failure.
Dental X-rays and local anesthetics pose little risk to the developing fetus, but several antibiotics are off-limits for pregnant women. If an infection does occur, many prescription and over-the-counter medications are also off the table, meaning increased discomfort. No one wants to deal with this, especially when managing a pregnancy.
What Can You Do in the Meantime?
Just because you can’t get dental implants now doesn’t mean that you can’t get started with the process. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss the dental implant process. If you are currently bothered by the appearance of your smile, temporary restorations may be available until you can undergo dental implant surgery. Ultimately, the health of you and your baby are our top priorities.
Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. By scheduling an appointment with your dentist, you can discuss whether dental implants are a good option for you after your baby arrives!
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Dann earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Toronto. Since then, he has gained more than four decades of experience. He has a Certificate in Implant Dentistry from Tufts Medical Centre and is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the Ontario Dental Association, Canadian Academy of Dental Anesthesia, and much more. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (647) 559-3176.
