Is it safe to have dental work done in early pregnancy?

998 Views 8 Replies 9 Participants Last post by ndunn, Mar 30, 2006

Fluffhead

Discussion Starter · Mar 29, 2006

I mean EARLY as in 5-6 weeks? This isn't elective, this is a necessity but its a but extreme and they want to put me to sleep....I said NO to that but Im curious if laughing gas would be ok this early? what do you think?

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bass chick

· #2 · Mar 29, 2006

I don't know the answer, but my dentist does not like to do any dental work on anyone during any stage of pregnancy. I have 2 tiny sticky spots...I guess they are pre-cavities that were discovered a month before I became pregnant. My dentist said I should wait until after delivery to get them fixed. But I have also read in a pregnancy book that since you are more prone to plaque and dental caries during pregnancy that you should have your teeth cleaned and checked at least once during pregnancy. However, my dentist doesn't agree. And I don't really care because I only go to the dentist once every 2-3 or 4 years. ($$$$) Sorry I'm not more help, just thought I'd pass on info about how my dentist feels.

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grace's voice

· #3 · Mar 29, 2006

Cleanings are essential, but I wouldn't do anything where any kind of drug is involved. Actually, I'd hold off on things like cavity fillings too. You just never know.

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*guest

· #4 · Mar 29, 2006

I'd ask a doctor or midwife on this one or get the opinion from a second dental practice. I'd want them to offer me alternatives to the sedatation, tell me the exact names of drugs being used, and give me scenarios on what would happen if I waited until later in pregnancy to get the work completed. It sounds like fairly involved work needs to be done, and so I'm guessing either you are in terrible pain or at much risk for infection or both. Infection has risks for the baby. So it's a risk-benefit analysis situation once you have all information about the treatment course. I do think this is one question where I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking advice off a forum.

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Christine&men

· #5 · Mar 29, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommitola
I'd ask a doctor or midwife on this one or get the opinion from a second dental practice. I'd want them to offer me alternatives to the sedatation, tell me the exact names of drugs being used, and give me scenarios on what would happen if I waited until later in pregnancy to get the work completed. It sounds like fairly involved work needs to be done, and so I'm guessing either you are in terrible pain or at much risk for infection or both. Infection has risks for the baby. So it's a risk-benefit analysis situation once you have all information about the treatment course. I do think this is one question where I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking advice off a forum.

:

Just talk to your OBGYN/midwife with the names of all products to get a feel for the risk/benefits involved. But if you are in pain/it's a necessity I don't see how you could wait... Also, opt for the white filling, amalgam contains mercury. And if they have to drill out an old amalgam filling have them suction really well.

Definitely get dental cleaning done during your pregnancy, it's only cleaning...

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BCmamaof6

· #6 · Mar 29, 2006

I have a filling that needs to be done (white, not amalgam) & has needed to be for over 3 months...
I asked my midwives about it & they said to wait until I was past 12 weeks.
I am not being put to sleep, though. I would definately ask which drugs (names of) that they would use & then both ask your doc/mw & search the internet for risks in pregnancy. If you list the names I'd be happy to look it up for you. I have books (medical books) on drugs during pregnancy. (I tend to be over careful)

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gardenmom

· #7 · Mar 30, 2006

I had a root canal during my pregnancy with dd--I don't remember what month it was, but I was definitely showing quite a bit--my midwife gave some written, specific recommendations about an antibiotic and local anasthesia, and approved me to have it. I was in terrible pain from the bad tooth, and I'm sure the stress (major fear of dentists) and pain of holding off and not having it done was more damaging to me and unborn dd than the relief I felt after getting it over with.

The oral surgeon was fairly nervous about it (he had done one where a patient went into labor during the procedure). I was under local anasthesia (he used something they use for heart patients, which wears off quickly but is much safer--he had to work very quickly, though). I also needed x rays for the procedure. He had a newer digital x-ray machine which is extremely low dose, and they loaded up 2-3 heavy lead blankets on me to cover for extra safety.

If you really have to have work done, you should proceed with extreme caution, lots of advice from your provider and dentist, and avoid the general anasthesia if at all possible, IMO.

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~Nikki~

· #8 · Mar 30, 2006

I got a BFP the morning of a dentist appointment (I actually took the test because I suspected it, and wanted to be able to discuss it with the dentist). The cleaning was fine, but they wouldn't do x-rays (of course). I mentioned that I knew I had 2 cavities, but they said they wouldn't do anything with them until the second trimester. And it had to be the second trimester, not the third. I assume because they worry about women going into labour in the middle of the procedure.

Unless it's a true emergency, I don't think many dentists will agree to do any work on you (aside from a cleaning) during early pregnancy.

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ndunn

· #9 · Mar 30, 2006

I got two fillings done at 16 weeks or so. It was a big debate for me, but I researched it alot beforehand. My midwife says it was fine. Evidently the risk of the cavity infecting another part of the mouth can be bad too, and hurt the baby. My dentist used carbocaine instead of lidocaine or novocaine (which both have adrenaline in them) beause the adrenaline goes quicker to the baby, where as there aren't any big arteries in top half of the gums to take the carbocaine across the placental barrier. Carbocaine is just novocaine or lidocaine without the adrenaline in it. The purpose of the adrenaline is to make the freezing last longer. I had my dentist check with this world renowned specialist on dentistry in pregnancy, and he said also that it was fine to get it done but good to wait until the second trimester. I think I need a route canal on one of those teeth but until I deliver I've just got a temporary filling in there because that was quicker to do and required less freezing etc. Hope that helps your search for info!

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