Third trimester dental work - replacement filling needed - ok???

[BlueCrane]

When I was about 8 weeks pregnant part of one of the fillings in a molar tooth fell out. I went to the dentist who said he wasn't too concerned as that particular tooth was rather more filling than tooth and he'd prefer to wait until baby was born due to the 'risks' around dental work during pregnancy.

This morning (I'm now 32 weeks) another chunk fell out...I only know because I can feel the hole with my tongue but must've swallowed the piece so I don't know whether it was just another chunk of filling or part filling, part tooth!! I'm not in any pain at the moment but am concerned that it might get infected. I have rung the dentist and have an appointment next Thursday but not sure what he is planning to do!

Does anyone know if it is now safe (in the 3rd trimester) to have an NHS (ie non white) filling drilled out and replaced along with the associated possible x-ray, anaesthetic etc?

From experience, I have a hole in my tooth that is going to need major work - and my dentist is waiting until after the baby is born (currently 37.5wks, been waiting since about 20wks)

This is because:

1. Im not currently in any pain.

2. Whilst the anaesthetic is ok, you cannot take any high- strength painkillers, and it would be excrutiating.

3. Any work that exposes gum or nerves leaves you highly susceptible to infection, at a time when infection would really not be ideal.

I would suggest calling in and seeing what he thinks. HTH.

Sorry, missed the bit where you said you have an appointment.

Just try to keep it clean for now, and call the emergency dentist if you get pain, swelling or start to run a temperature.

I had a filling replaced at about 24 weeks. V small amount of anaesthetic, just enough to do the job - wore off in about 30 mins. Tooth and baby fine.

Thanks for your replies...will it be safe to have it done after birth if I'm breast feeding? I wonder if the mercury risk can affect the milk?

Hi, I had a tooth with a mercury filling in it almost break in half, two days before Christmas, 200 miles from home :) I was about 33 weeks then. Because of the mercury risk, my dentist just cleaned it up a bit and covered it all with white filling. Once DD was born I went back and he sorted it out properly - he knew I was breastfeeding but his view seemed to be that the mercury risk to baby through the breastmilk was far less than it would have been in utero. I don't know to be honest as I've read differing viewpoints. Certainly not being pregnant meant I could have an X-ray and lying flat and slightly inverted while the work was done wasn't uncomfortable as it would have been with a huge belly! This was a couple of years ago now.

Yes, forgot to say, I had a white filling too.

There's a theoretical risk with ANY medical/dental procedure. For that reason we try to wait until you are pp because if, heaven forbid, there was a complication we wouldn't want what was essentially "elective" treatment to be blamed.

I will treat pregnant ladies with anything (using the correct medication) if they are in pain. This would include taking x rays if it was unavoidable. My take is that stress from being in pain + painkillers + antibiotics = worse for foetus than dental treatment.

That said, if I didn't have to treat, I wouldn't. Big bumps=uncomfortable mums=stressed dental team. A quick temporary filling may be best for all concerned.

The mercury risk is lower than that from eating tuna.

Hope all is well!!!

I had similar at about 16 weeks, tooth literally broke in half, he temporarily flled it after taking a mould for a new 'bit' of tooth!! Went back 2 weeks later and they fixed it. This has since come out TWICE!!! possibly due to weak gums when pregnant and he has said wait until baby is born so they can take a better mould using anasthetic. Its got a temp filling now which dosent hurt I just avoid eating anything too sticky that side!!!

PS - only white fillings are allowed by nhs dentists when pregnant (well this is what mine said!!) x

Lucyfluff, that's absolute bullshit!! I'd love to know where he got that from; I hear so many shit stories people have been told by idle dentists it drives me potty.

Hope you get it fixed.

Maybe....just going on what they said and to be fair I felt happier having a white filling done when pregnant be it low risk or not :)

I don't think you're making it up! The white fillings have a chemical in them that is banned in Canada due to its effect when it degrades. So if your dentist gave you a white filling because he thinks it's safer than a silver one then he may need to brush up on his materials science!

If you felt happier (because the risk of ANYTHING happening is so low) then the aim is achieved!!

Now to make sure you don't need any more fillings...?

Thanks so much for your replies. I will see what the dentist says next week but unless I am in any pain by then I may try and opt for the 'clean it up, possibly getva temporary cover and wait approach' as I'm not sure I want to be laid out on the dentist chair whilst they try and drill out and the replace the filling. Crazy how much different advice seems to be out there though!