Root Canal Treatment during pregnancy-what would you do?

[joymaker]

I've always thought that having fillings of any sort was supposed to be a no no during pregnancy, and never thought i would contemplate it, however I have a tooth that needs to be treated (was given a temporary filling around 12 weeks as refused to have root canal that early)I am now 23+2 and have an appointment for root canal on thur 21 jan. i have been told by my dentist that there is minimal risk to the baby, but I'm still in two minds.

I know there is an x -ray involved but don't know too much else about the procedure.

Has anyone else had root canal during pregnancy?

Does anyone know about the procedure and can help me make a more informed decision (rather than simply trusting my dentist)also could it be more 'risky' to leave it untreated?

I had the first part of a root canal done, which was the large temporary filling, when I was around 14 weeks. My dentist said it was up to me whether I wanted him to do the second part, or leave it, but he recommended leaving it alone as the tooth is now stable and I have no pain.

I would go with your dentist's advice - ask him if it can be safely left alone until after you have the baby and make your decision based on that.

By the way - you're exactly the same gestation as me!

I also had the first part of a root canal done during my last pregnancy. I think I was about 23 weeks. I think they encourage you to wait until second trimester if you can.

I had one x-ray and pain relief (the oral shots). My consultant was absolutely fine with me doing it (and encouraged me to take care of it so I wouldn't be in pain).

I think you should do the minimal you have to so that you can get through the pregnancy. It's unlikely to harm the baby, but you also have to think of your peace of mind.

By the way, my DD is a bouncing 3 year old now and it obviously had no effect on her.

Good luck!

I would have it done. (I'm a dentist)
You are at more risk of problems if you leave it until after you have the baby. A root filling is used when the nerve inside the tooth dies off; the remnants of the nerve are then carefully removed, the inside of the tooth cleaned and the root sealed. If remnants of dead nerver are left inside a tooth there is always a risk of an infection ie abscess and you certainly won't want to be taking antibiotics +/- painkillers whilst you are pregnant. Ask your dentist if the x-ray can be avoided, he may need to do it to measure the root, but may have another instrument that does the same thing. Dental x-rays are a very low risk and are very focused on the area used, the reason they are generally avaoided is that we are in a very litigious society and most dentists would rather leave them until post partum than cause the expectant mother any unnecessary worries.
The only dental treatment that is contraindicated in pregnancy ids placement of silver fillings - not because there is any proven risk but it is unethical to test it.
I hope this helps your decision.

thank you all for your advice/comments. My dentist is exellent so i'm not sure why i'm unduely concerned, i'm not in any pain after the temp filling so it is not an emergency in that sense it's just long over due and i want to do what's best in terms of also keeping healthy.-fififolle As the tooth has not been fully filled what you point out i.e the possibility of it becoming a problem in my third term had crossed my mind. this might be a silly question but what is ids placement? silver fillings are the same as amalgum aren't they? My dentist said i'm likely to need a crown would it be a different filling compound that would be put inside the tooth then? Sorry to go on, i'm probably fitting the sterotype of an over anxious first time mum

thanks again guys i really appreciate your reassurance.

yes, i had root canal treatment while i was pregnant, it was fine

my dentist filled it with a white filling rather than mercury

thisisyesterday did you also have an x-ray?

ids placement is me not checking properly after typing quickly!! If its having a crown then there are plenty of mercury free alternatives as the filling won't need to be as hard weraing. Sorry for any confusion!

I had an x-ray but no drugs. Agony. I'll never forget it.

I had a tooth removed in pregnancy, the wound then got infected and hurt so bad I was on the phone to NHS 24 in tears at 4am on a Sunday morning begging them to help.

I would strongly urge against any avoidable major dental work in pregnancy if only because the only painkillers you can really take are paracetamol. If your doc or dentist can safely give you something stronger then go for it, but personally I'd avoid it.

I had a crown done last week (Im 16 weks pg)I was also concerned as my friend who is also pg was told by her dentist she couldnt have it done. This tured out to be because she already had a "silver" filling. One word of warning though - if you want a white crown (if they have to crown it)you still have to pay as it is classed as cosmetic if it is a back tooth. Im not sure of the same applies for a white filling.

do you know, i actually can't remember if i had an x-ray or not...

I had had the first part of root canal treatment at 38 weeks and was treated treated virtually upright otherwise I would have passed out! I had a local, the nerve removed and a temporary filling. I returned 2 weeks after dd was born. I have since had it crowned as the tooth broke. Of course this was all done on maternity excemption . Oh and I trust my dentist, she was pregnant at the time.

Hi all thanks for taking the time out to relay your experiences(good and bad) and knowledge!

LAT1980 thanks for alerting me to the prospect of having to shell out-did you have to pay for your crown? if so how much might i be looking at? The tooth that is likely to need the crown is the first premolar/bicuspid (top left, 4th tooth from the front if you follow) I can imagine that might be considered just too far back for a free-bie white one.You did'nt mention whether you had an x-ray, nor you happyjules.

I'm certainly warming more to the idea of going ahead with the procedure.Your views have given me a clearer understanding of what i need to ask before hand also what I can relax about.

I had dental x-rays taken before I realised I was pregnant with my third. Needless to say, it caused no problems whatsoever and the dentist was very relaxed about it when I spoke to him (panicking) after the event.

I am also a dentist and agree with Fififolle. I generally avoid doing xrays on pregnant women for their peace of mind rather than because it's harmful. You could always have the initial treatment started and a dressing put in until after the birth, or ask them if they can check the length with something called an apex locator rather than having an xray if you prefer to get it sorted. By the way, a crown on a premolar will be white on the NHS, it's only molars that can't be.

thanks to you all for you views/experieces and to dippywhentired and Fififolle for the benefit of your expertise!!!

... tomorrow's the big day and i do feel so much happier . I'll let you know how i go...

Hi all, just to let you know everything went well, my dentist looked at my teeth and decided just to re-dress the tooth for now and leave the root canal until approx 6 weeks after the baby is born