Is It Safe to Have Dental Implants During Pregnancy?
When you’re expecting, you’re prone to second-guessing everything you do. Everything you eat and drink, your workout routine, and even your dental care are all carefully considered. Should you alter your dental treatment as a result of your pregnancy? There are dental procedures like wisdom tooth removal, which are necessary whether you’re pregnant or not, but having dental implants is a procedure that is considered elective.
However, having dental implants when pregnant might put your health and that of the baby at risk. Therefore, you should postpone the surgery and first deliver your baby as there are more risks than benefits to having dental implants at this period. Here are the risks related to having dental implants during pregnancy.
Exposes the Unborn Child to Radiation
Before having a dental implant in Berkeley Heights, NJ, your dentist scans your mouth using an X-ray to examine bone density, tooth location, and other pertinent details. Dental X-rays are unsafe when pregnant as the radiations might lead to fetal growth restrictions, congenital disabilities, and miscarriage. To avoid putting your baby at risk, dentists recommend avoiding having dental implants while pregnant.
Dental Implant Surgery Puts You Under Stress
Do you get anxious or nervous when you visit the dental office? It usually happens when you have a scheduled dental procedure. When you visit your dentist for dental implants during pregnancy, the high-stress levels might negatively impact your baby.
First, your blood pressure might shoot up, forcing the dentist to stop performing the surgery. Second, high blood pressure causes reduced blood flow to the placenta, which means your baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients to support growth. Third, high blood pressure reduces fatal movement, which means your baby will not be able to move around the womb, leading to birth complications.
Another risk associated with having dental implants during pregnancy is that the stress you undergo during the procedure can increase the likelihood of a premature baby or a newborn with low birth weight.
General anesthesia poses a lot of risks to an unborn child. This type of anesthesia puts the mother to sleep, and this means you will not be able to breathe properly. Communicate to the doctor if there is an issue. It is important to note that anything can happen during surgery, which exposes the unborn child to surgery complications. On the other hand, local anesthesia is safe during pregnancy. It is essential to discuss your options with the family dentist near you to minimize the complications of dental implants when pregnant.
Changes in Oral Health During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, your body goes through many changes, and you must take care of your oral health. These changes that your body goes through can lead to dental implant failure.
One of the changes you go through during pregnancy is the immune system—certain aspects of your immune system boost. In contrast, others repress, which might mean that the dentist’s incisions during dental implant surgery may take time to heal, exposing the mother to bacteria and the risk of infection, leading to gum disease and other diseases dental problems.
Dental Implant Preparation
Maintaining good oral health while awaiting dental implant surgery is vital for both you and your baby’s health. It’s also a good idea to have a dental exam and a professional cleaning since this will allow your regular dentist to keep track of your oral health and prevent issues from arising.
Final Thoughts
A dental implant is only necessary when you have a severely decayed tooth and causes lots of pain. The procedure is urgent. If it’s a back tooth that isn’t very noticeable, you can probably wait until after your baby is born to replace it. If it’s a front tooth, though, you should get it replaced right away with an implant.
While it’s understandable to be unhappy that you won’t have dental implants while pregnant, it doesn’t mean you can’t get started. Schedule a consultation with Jersey Smile to begin planning your implant repair. We’ll be ready to start working on your smile change after your baby is born.