Why do dentists recommend dental implantations for pregnant women to be done after the first trimester?

Doctor's Answers 1

Critical foetal development occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Dental implant placement is a surgical procedure that requires the use of local anaesthetic injections, X-rays and even bone grafting material. Post-surgical care includes the use of painkillers and antibiotics.

Most drugs are safe to use during pregnancy. Dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy (European guidelines on radiation protection in dental radiology) (https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/136.pdf).

However, to cater to cultural preferences and to minimize the risk of litigation, especially now that women tend to have children later with the help of assisted fertility procedures (IVF), most dentists prefer to defer non-essential dental treatment to later (in the 2nd or 3rd trimester) or after pregnancy.

Similar Questions

How do pre-existing dental implants affect orthodontic treatment, since dental implants are fixed and unable to move?

The biggest question that must be answered is what needs correction. If only simple alignment is required, then the implant would not pose a major issue. The implant crown may need remaking after the braces come off since the bite will be altered. If a more drastic correction is required, especially when extractions are part of the treatment plan, implants may be helpful or may pose an issue for space management.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

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Should I get dental implants or braces for a front lower teeth gap due to removing baby teeth in my adulthood?

Losing a baby tooth later in life always presents as a dilemma for patients. Certainly a missing front tooth affects our confidence as it is in a visible region. This is often a multidisciplinary problem and best assessed by an orthodontist who work closely with a restorative dentist.

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Dr Enrica Sham

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