Is Dental Implant Surgery Safe During Pregnancy?

If you have missing teeth, you might be wondering what your options are for replacing them—and if you’re familiar with dental implants, you might be drawn toward this top-of-the-line solution! However, you might also be wondering if your pregnancy might potentially impact your eligibility for this type of restoration. Keep reading to learn a little more from your trusted dentist about how pregnancy can impact oral health, along with why it’s usually better to wait until afterward to commit to receiving dental implants.

How Pregnancy Influences Oral Health

Pregnancy affects the human body in several ways, but most people don’t realize the profound impact it can have on oral health. For instance, persistent morning sickness might seem innocent enough, but the constant acid exposure to your enamel can be quite damaging. Another example is the surge in hormones, which can cause gum inflammation and soreness, exacerbating the likelihood of gum disease.

The American Dental Association, one of the most respected professional dental organizations around, strongly recommends that pregnant women seek out routine preventive dental care to mitigate some of the potential dental issues that might arise during their pregnancy.

Dental Implants During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Restorative dentistry is inherently more complicated than preventive dental care. Although tooth loss is a serious issue that warrants attention, it’s not considered a priority, especially during pregnancy. While dental implant surgery is safe to perform after the first trimester, the majority of dentists prefer to wait until the patient is no longer pregnant.

This is because there are still a few related risks to undergoing the procedure while pregnant. Dental implant surgery is considered elective, meaning that it can be put off until a later date if needed, while something like an infected wisdom tooth would be considered necessary and needs to happen promptly.

Also, since your gums are more likely to become inflamed during pregnancy, you’re at an increased risk of gum disease—which is arguably one of the biggest threats toward dental implants. Stress also factors into this; raised blood pressure levels can reduce blood flow to the placenta and cause other complications.

Finally, there’s the use of anesthesia that warrants attention. Even though local anesthesia is considered safe for pregnant patients, since implant surgery often requires something strong, the risk is correspondingly elevated. Pregnancy also takes certain antibiotics off the table, which may be necessary to prevent infection post-surgery.

Tips for Preparing for Dental Implants

If you’re going to wait until after your pregnancy to receive dental implants, here are some useful tips to help you prepare yourself:

• Take the initiative to eliminate poor oral habits such as smoking, using tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, chewing on ice, biting your fingernails, using your teeth as tools, etc. Even though dental implants are durable, they aren’t invincible!
• Strive to eat a healthy and vitamin-rich diet that supports and bolsters your oral health and be sure that you’re also drinking plenty of water—it’s by far the best beverage for your smile!
• Commit to your oral hygiene routine: brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily, and keep up with your routine preventive dental checkups.

About the Practice

Under the leadership of Dr. Danette McNew and Dr. Leeza Stein, the talented team at McNew Dental is excited to provide families in the Rockwall, TX community with outstanding dental care! The practice is pleased to offer a wide range of services including restorative options like dental implants to assist patients with rebuilding their smiles. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to contact the practice through their website or by phone today: (972) 666-5439.