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If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, you may be considering replacing them with dental implants. But if you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, this procedure is one that will likely need to wait until after your child is born to complete. Here’s why it’s best to hold off on dental implant surgery during gestation, and which parts of the process can still be done while you’re expecting.
The First Trimester
During your first trimester, it is important to hold off on dental treatments such as fillings and root canals unless absolutely necessary. Dental implants are considered an elective treatment, and thus not an acceptable risk to you and your baby. X-rays are also not recommended during the initial three months of gestation.
The Second Trimester
The second trimester allows for a bit more flexibility when it comes to oral health procedures. Local anesthesia is safe for minor procedures like root canals and fillings, and X-rays are also safe, though some dentists may still caution against them unless absolutely necessary. If you haven’t already attended your dental implant consultation, you may be able to do so now. However, the surgery and any preliminary treatment will have to wait until after your pregnancy is over, as there are a variety of factors that would pose too great a risk to your baby and your dental implants to attempt. For example, the antibiotics prescribed following surgery are not safe to take while expecting, nor is the strong anesthesia required during the procedure. Furthermore, hormonal changes could increase your risk of dental implant failure.
When is it Safe to Get Dental Implants?
Once you have given birth, your dentist will be happy to begin the process of dental implant treatment. Still, give yourself a little time to heal and recover first. This will allow your hormones to balance and you to feel a bit more like yourself again. While your smile and oral health are important, so too is your mental and overall health, so be careful not to overwhelm yourself with additional stress. Be kind to yourself, and don’t rush to heal faster than you’re ready to.
Remember, while getting dental implants may not be possible during pregnancy, you can still begin some portions of the journey while with child. Then, once it’s safe to get started, you can return to your dentist and continue the road to your new smile!
About Dr. Sanchez
Dr. Francisca Sanchez first attended dental school in the Dominican Republic and earned her dental hygiene degree at Hostos Community here in New York. After working with patients for several years, she was able to achieve her dream of attending Columbia School of Dental Medicine and completing her AEGD. She then attended a state-of-the-art dental implant placement training from the University of Florida and today is a proud member of the New York Dental Association and American Dental Association. To schedule an appointment for dental implants with FS Dental Arts, please visit our website or call us today at 646-669-7407.