Should I Have Gotten Dental Implants While Pregnant?

I started the process of getting dental implants about three weeks ago. I went through several sets of x-rays and even had a scan. My doctor also placed the posts inside my gums and said the next step would be to watch and wait for it to heal. We’re supposed to check it out again at my next cleaning. He gave me the option of going to the oral surgeon for placement. I didn’t think it was necessary, so I did it in his office without any kind of sedation. He did prescribe me a painkiller, but I don’t really like taking those, so I filled it and just held onto it and worked with ibuprofen that day and for a couple days after. It actually wasn’t too bad.

Well, I just found out yesterday that I’m pregnant. It was a major surprise because we weren’t trying, but we’re over-the-moon excited. However, it just hit me that I had all that dental work done, and now I’m worried it may have harmed the baby. How risky was it?

And, if I’m in the clear here, is it safe to finish the work when it heals? I certainly don’t want to take any chances, but I’m already thinking of what life will be like with a newborn and I’d sure like to have my tooth back before the birth rather than trying to sort things out after.

Thank you,

Emily

Congratulations, Emily!

Dr. Hall over at My New Smile recently addressed dental work during pregnancy. He was answering a question for a woman about her porcelain veneers, but the information is the same.

Anesthetic is Safe

Based on your reports, it sounds like you only had local anesthetic, which is generally ok and is even sometimes used during delivery. Lidocaine is the most common and it has been proven safe during pregnancy. As far as the ibuprofen goes, you’re also in the clear. It has not been shown to cause any kind of birth defect early in pregnancy. However, it’s not ideal toward the latter part of your pregnancy, so chat with your OB about pain relief options that might be better choices as your pregnancy progresses.

X-Rays are Safe

The American Dental Association and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists give x-rays the green light during pregnancy. The technology has advanced so much that amount of radiation is incredibly low, and you should have been shielded on top of it.

It’s Generally Better to Do Dental Work During the Second Trimester

Obviously, you didn’t know you were pregnant and that’s ok. Most women don’t in the early stages. When women do know, it’s better to wait until the second trimester for any non-emergency treatment, and better to wait until after the baby is born for elective or cosmetic treatments. During the first trimester, the worry comes more in with introducing chemicals into the body. The ones you were exposed to were fine though. During the latter part of the pregnancy, it’s more to avoid putting stress on you.

That said, you should be just fine going in to have the crown placed on your dental implant once it’s ready. Naturally, you’ll want to inform both your dentist and your OB of your plans though. It’s also worth noting that following up with your regular cleanings is essential, so keep your next dental appointment regardless. It’s actually important for your health and the baby’s that you get your teeth cleaned—sometimes it’s recommended that women go in every four months instead of six because healthy gums can reduce the risk of certain pregnancy complications.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin dental implant provider Dr. Steve Sirin.