The field of dental implant technology has been seeing newer advancements over the past few decades. Newer scientific discoveries and clinical implementations have made it much easier and safer to get dental implants. Dental Implants, as we all know, serve as a replacement for a lost or severely damaged tooth that is beyond repair. Despite the advancements in dental implant technology, is it safe for pregnant women to undergo dental implant surgery?
During pregnancy, the body undergoes many physiological changes which do not permit for a number of activities and procedures. When it comes to getting implants, a pregnant woman is strictly advised against going for implantation in the first trimester. Though it is possible for a pregnant woman to undergo dental implant surgery in the second and third trimester, it is generally not advised or recommended unless it is a medical urgency. Most dentists wait until the patient is no longer pregnant to proceed with the dental implant procedure.
However, the presence of a severely decayed and infected tooth can mandate a tooth extraction. This is because the decayed tooth can put stress on the fetus and on the mother. Once this decayed tooth is removed, the pregnant woman can advisably wait for the pregnancy to be over to get a dental implant.
Factors which do not permit pregnant women to get dental implants
X-rays: Dental X-rays are considered safe by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for pregnant women. However, there are risks associated with an unborn child being exposed to radiation. Even though diagnostic dental x-rays focus only in the oral region, it is still not advised for pregnant women to be anywhere near X-rays or other ionizing radiation.
Anesthesia: Since the dental implant procedure is a full-fledged surgical procedure, it requires local anesthesia or in some cases general anesthesia. Although it is safe for pregnant women to get local anesthesia, it is not recommended to be under general anesthesia.
Stress: During the pregnancy period, a surgical procedure can induce unnecessary stress and anxiety on the mother. It is always better to postpone such surgeries until the pregnancy is over to avoid any complications.
Conclusion – Although it is possible for a pregnant woman to undergo a dental implant procedure technically during the second and third trimester, it is generally not recommended and advised by dentists.