For nine months, a pregnant woman experiences a wide range of physical, emotional, and mental changes. With hormones fluctuating and special cravings coming out of nowhere, it can be a unique time in a woman’s life. If you are looking forward to meeting your baby, you may want that day to include you smiling back at your little one with a full set of teeth. Is it safe to receive dental implants while you’re pregnant? Keep reading to learn the truth about this complex process.
What Problems Can Occur When Receiving Dental Implants While Pregnant?
Wanting a complete, healthy smile when your baby arrives is understandable, but it’s important to recognize why your dentist may recommend waiting before moving forward with dental implants. Certain problems can arise during pregnancy that you may not realize, including:
- Oral Health Issues: Pregnancy often causes hormonal changes that can weaken the immune system, increase your risk of gum disease and inflammation, and potentially cause gestational diabetes. As a result, the chances of dental implant failure rise significantly.
- Post-Procedural Infection: If you receive dental implants while pregnant, the risk of post-procedural infection increases, especially if you do not have good oral health to start.
- Dental X-rays: Although some believe they are minimally risky, many dentists still do not want to take dental X-rays when a woman is pregnant.
- Dental Implant Surgery: The surgical procedure can cause unnecessary stress that can negatively affect your baby. Your blood pressure may rise, which can reduce blood flow to the placenta and reduce the amount of oxygen your baby receives. It can also cause premature birth and low birth weight.
What Should You Do in Preparation for Dental Implants?
Although you may not be eligible to receive dental implants while pregnant, there are steps you can take to prepare for treatment after your baby arrives. If you want to meet with your dentist to discuss your eligibility and begin the planning process, you are safe to do so.
Also, you can start budgeting and estimating how much treatment will cost so you are in a good financial spot when it’s time to begin.
If you want that complete smile on the day of your baby’s arrival, you can ask about a partial denture, a non-surgical treatment option that can temporarily replace your missing teeth.
Don’t give up hope on receiving dental implants just because you’re pregnant. Keeping you and your baby safe is a top priority, and you can trust that your dentist will guide you through every step of the process.
About the Author
Dr. Theresa Lassetter is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Dentistry. At Heart of Texas Smiles, she and the rest of our team are highly skilled at providing in-house implant placement and restoration, making it easier for individuals to stay in one convenient location. As a suitable tooth replacement solution for patients experiencing tooth loss, we invite you to visit our website or call ((254) 776-3310 to schedule an appointment to discuss whether you can move forward while pregnant.