Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. For instance, you might develop a lisp or slur, or struggle to chew food thoroughly. You might even feel so self-conscious about the changes to your appearance that you avoid spending time with others.
Your dentist can thankfully rebuild your smile’s appearance and functionality with dental implants. These are often considered the ideal restoration because of their unique placement in your jawbone, but you might wonder if the procedure is safe under certain circumstances, like if you’re pregnant. Continue reading to learn more about it!
What Are Dental Implants?
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, these replacements include a titanium rod that’s embedded in your jawbone. It takes three to six months to recover because your jaw must produce enough new bone growth to fully envelope and fuse with the metal, making it a permanent part of your mouth.
This pole is capped with an abutment connector that will eventually hold a dental crown to close the space in your smile. Then, your dentist provides a tooth-colored restoration made from ceramic that can be customized to be the right shape, color, and size to look as lifelike as possible. The result can last 20 years or more if properly cared for.
Can I Get Dental Implants if I’m Pregnant?
Although many experts consider implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth, that doesn’t automatically make them the best treatment for every circumstance. Before proceeding, you must consult your provider to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. They’ll take this time to update your medical history and examine your mouth to verify if you can safely undergo surgery.
If you are expecting, it’s important that you share this information with your dentist so they don’t do anything that could hurt you or your baby. Unfortunately, the hormonal changes caused by your condition pose additional risks to your oral health. For example, you’re more prone to gum disease and infections, which is the leading cause of implant failure.
Not only that, but you might be unable to take the antibiotics required to treat these complications. Other drugs, like pain medications to reduce aches and inflammation, might also be off limits at this time. Furthermore, the implant process typically involves taking X-rays and undergoing sedation, which can be unsafe in your current condition.
As a result, many experts advise waiting until after delivery to proceed with your elected procedure.
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, you and your loved ones benefit from three talented dentists eager to help you build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. DeNicola, Dr. Khanna, and Dr. Agrawal collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages at one convenient location. Then, they combine a caring approach with advanced technology to improve your comfort while delivering accurate results. They work with local specialists for accurate implant placement, then provide lifelike restorations meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (540) 432-6616.