Root canal treatment

[Hodge85]

Hello,

I'm 15+2 weeks and due to have root canal treatment on Friday to my front tooth due to an operation I had back in January. I'm terrified about the anaesthetic harming my baby, I've warned the receptionist but still nervous about it x

I had a local anaesthetic at the dentist for three (!!!) fillings at 21 weeks. My dentist was really good about it, she made a point of checking the research and with senior colleagues between my booking in appointment and the fillings, but there is no evidence local anaesthetic is harmful to the baby that early in pregnancy. She used an anaesthetic without adrenaline as there is apparently some evidence that adrenaline can cause early labour if used closer to term, but she said even this wasn't necessary.

I also elected to have an x-ray. X-rays travel in straight lines so the in-mouth ones they use at the dentists don't go anywhere near the baby.

Baby was absolutely fine afterwards, has been kicking away like nobody's business ever since.
I hope that helps reassure you - I really hate the dentist and had been putting it off for a long time, but actually had a very positive experience. Hope it all goes well!

@Lakedeal xrays also have scatter so not strictly true. That’s why everyone else leaves the room to take a radiograph. But the dosage of an intraoral radiograph is so tiny it would be unlikely to cause any harm, we just like to air on the side of caution and try not to take X-rays unless absolutely necessary.

Exactly right about the non adrenaline LA. Perfectly safe to use in pregnancy, sometimes you might just need a little more of it or to wait a few minutes longer for it to work to it fullest. But a good dentist will check to make sure you’re numb before starting, and they can give you more LA during treatment if you begin to feel anything at all. You’re totally in control, don’t worry OP.