Root Canal?

MaybeP · Jan 30th, 2012, 19:59 PM

I went to get my teeth cleaned a few weeks ago and they told me I had a chipped tooth around a filling and that there was a little decay so I should get it fixed. I had my appointment to get the filling that was there out and a new one in to fix the chipped area as well but when they took the old filling out there was a lot more decay than they expected and now I need a root canal.

She told me I should probably get this fixed before I have the baby since it could get infected which I would need anti biotics to clear up and would make it more painful to get. I do need to get xrays before the root canal though.

I did book an appointment for next Thursday but do you think shes right and this is something I should be doing during my pregnancy? Anyone else had one while pregnant?

Menelly · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:13 PM

I had some dental work and dental xrays done while pregnant. My dentist assured me I was OK, the only thing he was worried about was laying on my back long enough. I need a root canal too, and they put that one off till after the baby is born, cause he said laying flat on my back for the 2 hours to do it wouldn't be good for either of us. /shrug

Ask your OB?

Sew_Sweet · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:14 PM

I would - an infection would be worse.

Mari30me · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:27 PM

I had x-rays and root canal when I was pregnant with my son. My tooth had cracked and my dentist said it could get infected if I did not take care of it. I was worried, but everything turned out just fine

GL

dashnbohemian · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:28 PM

I'm a dental assistant, & in my office we have done so many root canals on pregnant women. Like the Dr. told you, an infection would be much worse for your body/ the baby & you don't want it to become painful when you can't take any pain meds. :/
As far as the x-rays go, they should double drape you (if they don't be sure to ask them). Double draping isn't REALLY needed since the x-ray beams are pointed DIRECTLY at the tooth, but it's a nice precautionary & will help to ease your mind.
As long as they have digital x-rays you will get less radiation from dental x-rays than you would spending a day at the beach.

plastic · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:29 PM

I was at dentist yesterday as I have been holding onto a baby tooth which is well past its use by date. My dentist wouldn't do anything not even x-rays.

And said I would have to go back after baby is born to look at what path I want to go down to get the tooth sorted.

dashnbohemian · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plastic

I was at dentist yesterday as I have been holding onto a baby tooth which is well past its use by date. My dentist wouldn't do anything not even x-rays.

And said I would have to go back after baby is born to look at what path I want to go down to get the tooth sorted.

That's because it's not medically necessary & doesn't pose a threat to you or baby, like an infection.

painted_pony · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:48 PM

I've already had two different dental infections during this pregnancy. Both times I was prescribed antibiotics to clear it up. I have wisdom tooth problems. My dentist refuses to do anything to them until after my little guy is born.

dashnbohemian · Jan 30th, 2012, 20:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painted_pony

I've already had two different dental infections during this pregnancy. Both times I was prescribed antibiotics to clear it up. I have wisdom tooth problems. My dentist refuses to do anything to them until after my little guy is born.

Probably because they need to be extracted- no Dr. will do a surgical procedure on a pregnant woman unless absolutely necessary.

Jan 30th, 2012, 19:59 PM	#1
MaybeP Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Burlington, ON Posts: 1,324	Root Canal? I went to get my teeth cleaned a few weeks ago and they told me I had a chipped tooth around a filling and that there was a little decay so I should get it fixed. I had my appointment to get the filling that was there out and a new one in to fix the chipped area as well but when they took the old filling out there was a lot more decay than they expected and now I need a root canal. She told me I should probably get this fixed before I have the baby since it could get infected which I would need anti biotics to clear up and would make it more painful to get. I do need to get xrays before the root canal though. I did book an appointment for next Thursday but do you think shes right and this is something I should be doing during my pregnancy? Anyone else had one while pregnant?

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Jan 30th, 2012, 20:13 PM	#2
Menelly Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 3,468	I had some dental work and dental xrays done while pregnant. My dentist assured me I was OK, the only thing he was worried about was laying on my back long enough. I need a root canal too, and they put that one off till after the baby is born, cause he said laying flat on my back for the 2 hours to do it wouldn't be good for either of us. /shrug Ask your OB?

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Jan 30th, 2012, 20:14 PM	#3
Sew_Sweet Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,910	I would - an infection would be worse.

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Jan 30th, 2012, 20:27 PM	#4
Mari30me Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,195	I had x-rays and root canal when I was pregnant with my son. My tooth had cracked and my dentist said it could get infected if I did not take care of it. I was worried, but everything turned out just fine GL

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Jan 30th, 2012, 20:28 PM	#5
dashnbohemian Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: California Posts: 863	I'm a dental assistant, & in my office we have done so many root canals on pregnant women. Like the Dr. told you, an infection would be much worse for your body/ the baby & you don't want it to become painful when you can't take any pain meds. :/ As far as the x-rays go, they should double drape you (if they don't be sure to ask them). Double draping isn't REALLY needed since the x-ray beams are pointed DIRECTLY at the tooth, but it's a nice precautionary & will help to ease your mind. As long as they have digital x-rays you will get less radiation from dental x-rays than you would spending a day at the beach.

Status: Offline

Jan 30th, 2012, 20:29 PM	#6
plastic Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 978	I was at dentist yesterday as I have been holding onto a baby tooth which is well past its use by date. My dentist wouldn't do anything not even x-rays. And said I would have to go back after baby is born to look at what path I want to go down to get the tooth sorted.

Status: Offline

Jan 30th, 2012, 20:48 PM	#8
painted_pony Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 804	I've already had two different dental infections during this pregnancy. Both times I was prescribed antibiotics to clear it up. I have wisdom tooth problems. My dentist refuses to do anything to them until after my little guy is born.

Status: Offline

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