Extensive Dental Work in 2nd Tri?

[Soul-O]

Hi Mamas:

Three fillings in the back three molars of my upper left jaw have either cracked or fallen out since I got pregnant back in late Feb. The first dentist I saw recommended three root canals and crowns, but I am loathe to possibly introduce bacteria into my system via the root canal (side note: I have an autoimmune disorder that causes airway swellings. Dental work led me to have a severe relapse of this disorder two years ago, so I tend to avoid anything invasive). After doing some research on my own, I've decided I'm better off having the teeth extracted and then opting for a bridge or some type of temporary device until I can afford implants. However, I am open to new information and different opinions. Have any of you had extensive dental work involving extractions and/or root canals in the 2nd tri? If so, what was your experience? Is there any planning or preparation I should do ahead of time to make sure that it goes well?

TIA!

[wills_mom]

I had a root canal, crown placed and what was left of a baby tooth (yes, baby tooth) extracted at 20 weeks along. I am a very apprehensive dental patient. I usually take a xanax, get laughing gas, have to be numbed a lot, etc. in order to not freak out during a procedure. Obviously for this one I was not comfortable with that. I talked to my OB ahead of time and got the ok to take a pain killer ahead of time (took a norco about 30 minutes before the procedure) so I would not be in pain after the Novocaine wore off. The root canal itself went pretty well. They did have to stop for a minute and numb me up some more, but I have weird nerves. After that I was good to go, put my ipod on and tried to relax. It went quicker then I expected and I didn't have too much pain that night. A few Tylenol helped with the swelling. The extraction was horrible though. It was a pretty broken baby tooth and it literally like the dentist was standing on my face to yank it out. It was pretty traumatic, I won't lie. I really wish I had the laughing gas during that. Overall though, it was not as bad as I had expected and I am glad I had it done when I did. I can't imagine having lived with the pain or risking an infection during the rest of my pregnancy. I hope you get your dental issues resolved in the most comfortable way you can.

[craft_media_hero]

Well, I'm 32 wks and having 3 implants placed tomorrow . . . both my surgeon and my midwife have given me their blessing, and it's medically necessary (long story). So I feel okay about it.

The doc will give me the lowest dose of "conscious sedation" (it is an iv, tho) and shoot me up w/ tons of lidocaine (which is approved for use in pregnancy). The worst part is going to be the 6 hrs or whatever that I can't eat and then having the accompanying nausea and loss of appetite afterwards. And I don't feel okay about taking vicodin, even tho it is prescribed for pregnant ladies. My mw says if the pain is stressing me, to take half a vike coz that's better than putting my body thru unnecessary pain that keeps me from sleeping, eating, etc. So the lack of pain meds is going to suck.

If you have to do it, just do it ASAP and move on with the rest of your pregnancy. Don't feel guilty about it and second guess yourself. You and your baby will be okay. People have to have surgery sometimes when they are pregnant, like if your jaw was shattered in a car accident or smth, it has to happen.



*eta* oh, and I'm having two permanent teeth extracted BEFORE the implants are placed tomorrow, then having a fixed bridge placed. So yeah, it's major . . . but I am confident that it will all go over well. PM me in a few days if you want, and I will give you my post-op longview.

[HeatherB]

I'm also pg and debating what to do about a tooth with a messed up filling. (Apparently it cavitated behind the filling, which eventually pushed up between the teeth and is stuck there. Weird.) Last week, I was in a lot of pain and thought I needed to finally get it done. My MW had said it was okay, being that I was 14-15 weeks then, but that later in 2nd tri is better, if possible.

After seeing a dentist and confirming the diagnosis, it's been better, and I feel like I should wait. I also am very torn on whether to have it extracted or go for the highly-recommended-by-the-dentist root canal. This tooth is "#5," near the front, so everyone was shocked when I suggested a possible extraction. The cost for an implant is unreal, too. ($3200?) Bridge is cheaper but will mess up teeth that don't have issues already.

FWIW, I have major, chronic health problems that already make life difficult in many ways. A big fear for me is adding the possibility of MORE infection to complicate my already complicated medical status. My MW didn't have a strong opinion based on her experience and that of those she knows, and I don't know what to believe of the "holistic dentistry" sites. I do have abx to take, and will start them before the procedure (whenever that is). I am just really torn by the "unknowns" of a possible risk that really might not be a risk if the endodontist is good enough, but might be a subtle yet potent problem if it is. Le sigh.

Anyhow, I hope yours all goes very well! I do know one thing, and that is that the 2nd trimester is THE time for dental work. Having dental infections increases the risk of preterm labor, too, so MWs highly recommend getting it done in the 2nd tri.

[momasana]

I had dental issues during my first pregnancy. The concern with a replaced filling is the mercury that is released when the filling is being taken out (if it is an old amalgam filling). I am not sure if this is an issue during an extraction. If you get the work done ask the dentist about the mercury, and make sure they use a damn to prevent you from swallowing the drilled out filling.

Good luck. Tooth issues are the pits.

[Got_Cloth]

right before i got pregnant this time, i went to the dentist and found that while pregnant iwth my son, i earned myself 8 cavities. I feel like i dont want to get them done, because o fhte baby, but it is probably better, to get them done, than to wind up with more extensive dental work.

i am actually calling my dentist, to ask if there were some worse than others, that i should do while pregnant, or if they are all pretty small, and if i can wait until after the baby is born. I am not having any pain, so i am hoping i can just wait.

[~Adorkable~]

Not sure how much I would trust lidocane after reading this. I had found it last week because i have lidocaine patches for a bad spot on my back and was wondering if their safe.
http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/lidocaine.html

Also keep in mind that laughing gas is a huge no no I would not even want to be in a dental office in my 1st trimester, it can cause miscarriages. I had a friend that worked as a dental hygienist and had to find temp work elsewhere during her pregnancy because they did not want her exposed to the ambient level in the clinic, granted she was there every day.

[WaitingForKiddos]

Great advice already from the angle of those who have btdt.

I wanted to add that the uncomforts of dental work and small risks with some meds possibly used are FAR smaller than the very real risks associated with infectons from the mouth affecting the baby. Dental infections are linkEd to everything from preterm labor to PROM to stillbirth. Please get it taken care of.

-owner of two bridges, tons of crowns, and lots of fillings!