Frequently Asked Questions

I had a tooth pulled and am thinking about getting a dental implant. I also am planning pregnancy. Is it safe to do this procedure while pregnant? Or is better to hold off on either getting pregnant or the implant procedure? Right now I am wearing a flipper. Also, if pregnant shortly after the implant procedure, will any pregancy related gum problems affect the healing process?

You are certainly asking the right questions and I hope you have had a similar discussion with your dentist. The facts that will help you in your decision include:
1. Bone support- The longer you wait after an extraction, the more natural bone loss occurs. If you have sufficient bone for an implant then a one year wait should not make a huge difference. If the bone is marginal today, it may require bone grafting in a year to support an implant.
2. Pregnancy - Most dentists prefer not to treat women during the first trimester due to other unrelated risk factors of early pregnancy. Hormonal changes of pregnancy cause the gums to swell and a cosmetic restoration might not be advised during pregnancy.
3. General health during pregnancy - Routine dental care should be continued during pregnancy for better overall health. The bacteria that causes gum disease can cause premature labor, so a healthy mouth is critical during pregnancy.
4. A healthy pregnant individual should heal normally if an implant is placed, but there are other risk factors to implant failure such as smoking, etc. You should discuss these options with your dentist.

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