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Pregnancy and iv sedation for root canal? Any help?

12 replies

LittleOneMum · 21/07/2009 13:49

Just to say, I don't know if I am pg or not. I am TTC (and am on those threads). I don't find out until the beginning of August if I am - and the chances are like any other month I guess. But I have to have a root canal done on Friday and after behaving like a complete baby understandably worried person there yesterday the dentist says I have to have it under sedation on Friday. Am v worried about potential risks to v small potential foetus. Anyone have this procedure done, when pg or otherwise? Are there risks? google says it's not recommended and I want to know how much it is not recommended...

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LittleOneMum · 21/07/2009 13:49

I should say, google says its not recommended when pg.

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LadyOfWaffle · 21/07/2009 13:51

I wasn't allowed it, twice! Main risks they said were the X ray beforehand.

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mrswee · 21/07/2009 13:56

I had root canal done when I was about 14 weeks pregnant. I did have to have xrays but was told the risk was very small, the lowest radiation xrays you can get done and not pointed anywhere near the baby.

Anyway that aside I am a very very nervous dental patient but didn't have sedation to get the treatment as I am pregnant, it was an hour 1/2 long but was totally fine, no pain at all, in fact I have no idea what I was making all the fuss was bout really, it's just a bit of a strange procedure.

Maybe you should talk to the dentist and get it done without sedation? You should at least tell them there is a possibility you could be pregnant. You will need xrays uf you have not already had them.
good luck, honestly it was fine!!

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mrswee · 21/07/2009 13:58

PS just to add I didn't have much choice but to have it, there was no way it could wait and my dentist had to weight up the risks against the risks of getting an infection. I also spoke to the midwife who agreed that an infection was a higher risk.

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mosschops30 · 21/07/2009 14:01

Is it just sedation or a GA?

You need to discuss with the dentist prior to your appointment. Tell him/her you are ttc and a possibility you might be pg. There are drugs that are more suited to pregnancy, although early on is infinately more risky, ditto for xrays, much better to have after 12 weeks. Is there anyway you can wait?

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HolyGuacamole · 21/07/2009 14:06

Have had IV sedation for dental treatment and it was absolutely fab. You are 'awake' during the procedure but you have no memory of anything, you just 'wake' up a few hours later and feel tired.

I wasn't pregnant though and have no idea of the risks.

Talk to your dentist asap as they might be able to suggest alternative methods of giving you the treatment and calming you down?

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LittleOneMum · 21/07/2009 14:32

I tried to do it the hard (non sedated) way yesterday and kept jerking involuntarily so he refused to carry on. have to do it under sedation and it has to be done in the next 2 weeks really as have dental abcess. Argh! I have told them, and they have said to speak to the anaesthetist on Friday... but might have to sign a disclaimer.

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HolyGuacamole · 21/07/2009 14:50

I'd ask the question HERE. It's a site I had a lot of help from in the past and it is run by actual dentists so you will get proper advice.

HTH

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bubblesincambridge · 23/07/2009 15:48

As an ex-dentist (now a lawyer) I can say that small dental x-rays will give you less radiation than getting on a plane and flying somewhere, so I really wouldn't worry about those.

Why don't you time your appointment for when you know you are definitely not going to be pregnant? For example within 1-2 weeks of the start of your next period? Then you can have the sedation, knowing that it won't be any risk.

If you mention to your dentist that you may be pregnant and are in the last 2 weeks of your cycle, it is unlikely that he will be happy to give you IV sedation. Similarly if you are definitely pregnant, he won't want to do it with IV sedation. It just isn't worth the possible risk.

A few dentists offer treatment using the same gas and air mixture that is used for labour, so its worth asking if that is a possibility.

Why not try it without IV sedation? Having root canal treatment is no different from having a filling, except it takes a bit longer and may need more than one appointment. Once the tooth is numb it will be fine and you'll wonder what you were worrying about. It certainly will be nothing compared to childbirth!

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Trudi2009 · 23/07/2009 22:20

I had root canal at 8 weeks and 17 weeks and everything is fine. I had x rays and local anesthetic. As some people above had said, dental x rays are so low in radiation you really have nothing to worry about. It really wasn't a problem at all apart from the backache of sitting in a chair for so long.

If it's any help, I did get a slightly different local anesthetic because I was pregnant. I think he said it had lower adrenalin levels in it but everything was great and I didn't feel a thing.

Just to also add. I'm also having twins and get a scan every two weeks because of this. I have had 4 scans since my treatment and everything is fine.

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weegiemum · 23/07/2009 22:23

I had IV sedation for a kidney procedure (stenting) at 30 weeks pg. Was told it was a safe option compared to GA or spinal. There were no problems at all.

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sazm · 23/07/2009 22:32

i was supposed to have my wisdom teeth removed with iv sedation,but when i told them i was pregnant they wouldn't doit,

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