Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Fillings in Pregnancy

11 replies

mummymccar · 06/01/2012 13:11

Just had a filling at the dentist and where we agreed just before that I would have a temporary filling because of my pregnancy (33w) at the end he told me he had actually decided to put in a real one.
I tried to protest but because of the numbing I couldn't get the words out.
Is this safe for the baby? I'm furious and really scared that the mercury is going to harm her, especially since he suggested a temporary filling in the first place because of the risks!

Are there any dentists/dental nurses around that can advise please?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
bonzo77 · 06/01/2012 13:31

Dentist to the rescue! There is very little evidence to suggest that amalgam fillings are harmful in pregnancy, and common sense would dictate that the further along you are, the less the risk. There is even less data for white fillings (i.e. even less information as to whether they are safe or not). The biggest release of mercury is during removal of an old amalgam filling. If you did not have an old amalgam filling removed (i.e. it was a new hole or a white filling), the risk is even smaller.

If it is any sort of reassurance, I worked all through my pregnancy in a busy NHS practice, removing and placing dozens of fillings a week, handling raw mercury and breathing in the fumes. A much higher exposure than you having one filling. And DS was 100% OK.

I personally would prefer not to provide dental treatment to pregnant women, as although it is generally very safe, if there were to be a problem with the baby you would always wonder if it were due to the dental treatment. However, I would always provide appropriate emergency and preventative advice.

In short, I understand your concerns, but think you don't need to worry purely on a safety level.

OTOH I am very Angry on your behalf that your dentist provided treatment you had not consented to. You had agreed to a temporary filling. He put in something else without your agreement. He might have told you what he was doing, but had not properly discussed risks etc, and you were unable to respond. This is what I would be complaining about -if I could be arsed-.

mummymccar · 06/01/2012 14:22

Thank you so much Bonzo! It's great to have the reassurance! Going to chill out now and not worry about it anymore. I'm so close to the end anyway that I'm sure the baby wouldn't be exposed to enough anyway.
Yes, a bit annoyed but don't want to say anything because I'm going back next week for a check up!
Thanks again!

OP posts:
blacktreaclecat · 06/01/2012 14:50

Bonzo I have a mercury filter mask I wear to remove and replace amalgams. It makes me feel better about the mercury.

bonzo77 · 06/01/2012 15:56

TBH I was not that worried about it. Worked with lots of other dental professionals handling amalgam who had healthy babies. Less of an issue now as only work in surgery 1-2 days a week and not using any amalgam in current practice (though do remove some). If you take those precautions for yourself do you take similar care with patients? Rubber dam and hi vol suction etc. Or do you take the leaping- out- of- the- room- for- rads line ("I take dozens a day, you hopefully will only have 1-2 a year")? Just out of interest, I'm not being judgy, either would make sense to me. Is the mask bulky, or is it like a normal surgical mask but better? Does it go in with the waste amalgam? Is it single use or reusable? Or does it have a sort of filter which you remove (like the carbon one in the lid of the cat litter tray but smaller)? Where did you get it? Can you use it with loupes?

Sorry for thread hijack OP!

surfmama · 06/01/2012 16:26

mummy - what a bloody cheek. I would complain, although I am sure they did this as there is no danger at all, but still you had the worry and we have enough to deal with don't we.

mummymccar · 06/01/2012 17:11

Hijack away Bonzo! Smile
Surf - I may do after the check up (when I don't have to go back again!)

OP posts:
blacktreaclecat · 06/01/2012 17:23

Right it is similar to a normal surgical mask but thicker. 2 layers of cloth type stuff with carbon in between. Gets a bit hot with it on. Not single use so you need either a visor or a paper mask over the top. I use a visor. You could use with loupes - no reason why not. Costs about £15 and I replace it monthly. Will try to find the website I buy them from. And I use high vol suction but not rubber dam. (I mean I use RD for endo etc but not for everything)
And yes I get as far away as possible when doing rads- practically in next door surgery. I wear a personal dosimeter as well.
I didn't used to worry too much but am now pregnant for the third time after 3 years ttc, a mc, a loss to Downs syndrome and IVF. So I actually do worry that the radiation and mercury has done bad things to my body meaning I couldn't conceive a healthy baby. Maybe I'm just unlucky I don't know but I'm now 14 weeks and have been taking these precautions for over a year. Seems worth it to me.
As for pts- I would follow the guidelines re: amalgam fillings in pregnancy but after all they aren't exposed to it all day every day like we are.

blacktreaclecat · 06/01/2012 17:43

www.mercurysafety.com

bonzo77 · 06/01/2012 18:56

thanks. Also having some TTC issues at the moment (ironic as now working much less and less exposure to stuff than when pg with DS), so generally following all the rules, so will have a look at that website. Thank you.

bonbonpixie · 08/01/2012 22:38

Hi I was wondering if it would be considered safe to remove an old amalgam filling during pregnancy whilst using precautionary measures such as a rubber dam etc?
I am currently 22 weeks and have a rather large filling in a tooth which has begun to give me some pain. Worried that perhaps the filling/tooth might break and I could swallow it. If such a thing is common?

MercurySafety website is incredibly helpful tho and shall be ordering a test kit, but pregnancy guilt is endless and I can't stop worrying about it!

Thank you in advance.

bonzo77 · 09/01/2012 08:01

Firstly the risk swallowing it is low. It's the drilling it out which theoretically increases the risk. But if it hurts it needs attention. In my view the risk of having one filling drilled out is pretty low, but it never hurts to take precautions, and you could ask for rubber dam.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page