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Major dental work while pregnant?
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Anonymous
| I'm concerned that I might need a root canal, or some extensive procedure, and I'm in my first trimester. How is that handled? I'm concerned about the x-rays and enormous amount of novacaine.. anyone been in this situation? |
Anonymous
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I had gum surgery (on 2 teeth) in the second trimester. My OB was fine with any dental work - during any trimester (or at least the 1st or 2nd trimester). She suggested I stay away from epinephron as the numbing agent - and both my regular dentist and the surgeon had an alternative available. The surgeon did use a little epi - but the big shots were epi free. My OB also preferred I get tylenol with codeine over vicodin - for pain. The oral surgeon preferred to do surgery in the second trimester.
If I was in pain, I wouldn't hesitate to get a root canal in the 1st trimester. But generally if pain or infection isn't involved, I'd wait until the 2nd trimester. I never did need Xrays - but I feel they are OK while pg. Just keep them to a minimum and ask to covered with 2 aprons. |
Anonymous
| My dentist will not x-ray anyone while they are pregnant unless it is a "dire" emergency. My OB encouraged me to get any necessary work done during the second trimester, if it was urgent, otherwise want until after delivery. |
Anonymous
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I think they generally advise you to avoid it in the first trimester because who knows how your body will react - I think better to leave things be unless you are really in pain. My dentist said he doesn't even want to clean my teeth in my third trimester for fear he'll have me give birth in the middle. I think he was partially joking but maybe not... you just never know.
That said - if you are in pain, your discomfort might put the baby under more stress than just having it done and getting it over with. |
Anonymous
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Gum disease can cause preterm labor, also pockets of bacteria can get into your bloodstream and affect the baby. So it if is serious GET IT DONE - 2nd trimester is preferred.
I had a problem and they thought I needed a root canal. I consulted two dentists who I really trusted, and then a root canal specialist. It was determined that nothing was leaking into my bloodstream so we decided it could wait. A few months after I had the baby, I had terrible pain and ended up losing the tooth (it was th last one in the back). But it is a benefit vs. harms analysis - it is not worth waiting if it can affect the baby. Get an expert opinion or two and decide from there. |
Anonymous
| I saw this after already posting in TTC. I am not pregnant now but would like to start trying. But found I will need some work done (bridge, implant, crown). Should I wait to start TTC or will it be okay when I am in my 2nd trimester? |
maynie
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| You should not let dental work interfere with your plans to conceive. |
Anonymous
| PP, thank you. Can you elaborate? |
maynie
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|
Well it's generally advisable that almost all dental work is perfectly fine in the second trimester. There's extra caution in the first trimester, but this is more of a CYA approach as far as the dentist (and most other health care professionals are concerned) is concerned. The only restriction I've really seen for the first trimester is the use of nitrous oxide. It makes sense only because if something goes wrong with the pregnancy, it's more likely to happen in the first trimester.
Also, if you're TTC you probably have a bit of a planned approach. Are you tracking your cycles and ovulation? You already know the dental work that needs to be done so the next step is to schedule it, correct? If you're extremely worried can't you schedule it now when you know you're not pregnant? Not to mention that you have no idea how long it could take for you to conceive. A normal healthy couple could easily take six months to a year. Would you wait that long plus the additional 4 months to get into your second trimester? I know you just want to try and plan things in a way where it won't potentially harm your baby, and fits into your schedule and budget, but if you over think it, it can become complicated. If I were you I would get the dental work done asap and get to work on TTC in whichever way you were planning. Good luck and I hope that made some sort of sense. |
Anonymous
| PP, thanks, yes, I am going to plan around as much as possible. Thank you. |