29 Wks Pregnant, Need a Root Canal, and Scare of the Dentist

I had a root canal while pregnant. A root canal isn't a pleasant experience anyway, but while you are pregnant the only difference is no gas. Pain medication is the same. You shouldn't put it off dental work during your pregnancyif you need it done you need it done. After the baby is born won't be any easier and I do not know if you are breast feeding if you can have gas or not. You might was well get it out of the way before the little one arrives and be done with it.

I am also 29 weeks and need one. My dentist said to wait, as long as I can deal with the pain. There is no need to risk it. I have lost a baby as a result of a dentist visit. Not happening again!

Dr. Warren Marrow is a wonderful Endodontist. He is kind, caring and gentle. He will make sure you do the right thing. Not only is he an Endodontist, he was a pharmacist before becoming an Endodntist. He calls all of his patients the evening after their procedure to check on them. He is located on the corner of Rosedale and 8th Avenue in Fort Worth. My husband is terrified of going to the dentist because it is difficult to anesthetize his mouth and Warren has helped him through 2 root canals.

I am 25 weeks pregnant and I asked my OB/GYN doctor just to get them cleaned and he said NO. I would ask your doctor and I bet he tells you to wait. I surprised your dentist would even see you that far along without doctor consent. My husband has needed a root canal for two years and so far so good. I bet you can wait. I would not take the chance with too much bleeding and the drugs but this is just my opinion. Good Luck!

root canals aren't bad at all. Dont' beleive all the hype about them. I've had three and there was no pain at all. Remember they take out the nerves when doing a root canal, so you won't have any sensitivity or pain. Maybe a little soreness where they numb you, but other than that you will be fine. I doubt that you can do the root canal when you are pregnant. I think the dentist can only perform procedures in the second trimester. But please don't stress about the root canal. It is really not bad at all. About 1 hour in the chair and then you go home and are numb for a few hours after that. The next day you can eat and everything. I never even took any pain medicine afterward.

Hope this helps.

J.,

Education and information is always the key to good decision making. Perhaps you might be interested in this article about root canals prior to making your decision:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/0...

Good luck!

I did and it's not as bad as you think. The main problem you'll have is being comfortable in the chair. I was also terrified when I went in for mine, but it ended up being no big deal. If you've had a filling before, you probably remember all the drilling and scraping, etc. -- it's awful! But there's none of that racket for a root canal. I think there is a little drilling at first, then the rest of the time it's quiet. It does take a long time, and it's not my idea of a good time, but it was more bearable than I thought it would be.

I needed to get some dental work done while pregnant and my OBGYN wouldn't even give persmission to have it down in the first 12 weeks (which I realize you are past). But, because she was so wary of it, I decided to wait until after the baby was born. I don't know what they are so scared of, but if they are scared, then I am scared. So, I wanted. If you can deal with the pain, I recommend you wait.

I was in your position last year and I waited. They gave me some antibiotics for the infection which was causing the pain. (the root canal may be necessary but there is most likely an infection in there causing the pain) Once I treated that the pain was gone...for well over 6 months until I was ready to go back.

I had to have a root canal the week before my son was due! I went to a specialist (orthodontist?), my regular dentist recommended him. It was 8 years ago and I can't remember his name (it was in Richardson). If I think of it or come across it, I'll send it to you. It was fine, he was wonderful and I experienced no pain, just a little discomfort which is normal. I have had probably 3 or 4 in my lifetime. I have figured out now to take my ipod, it really helps me... I hate even a teeth cleaning! Just the noises send me over the edge! Best wishes!

As a hygienist, I know you need to be very careful about putting off a root canal. Remember that when one needs a root canal it is because of an INFECTION, in this case the pulp of the tooth is infected. If you had an infection in your finger would you just leave it? And it CANNOT be compared to kidney stones that you wait until it hurts.

Also remember that since it is an infection, the presence of that triggers the response of inflammation in your body - and not just at the sight, but in places you cannot see and is directly related to pre-term labor. Don't let these people's horror stories scare you. You will be fine. As for holding your mouth open, they will use a bite-block to prop your mouth open. You will be fine.

One thing you DON'T want to do is to wait until it hurts. Once it 'blows up' it is painful and difficult for the dentist to anesthetize. Once there is an extreme amount of infection, local anesthetic is not as effective.

As for sedation, that is a question that should go DIRECTLY to your OB. Remember, most root canals go just fine and it is a relief for the patient.

I have not had a root canal while pregnant but I have had six root canals in my lifetime (you'd think I never brush my teeth or something, but I have been told I over brush them).

Anyways, be sure to check with your obgyn and see what his/her advice is regarding root canals during pregnancy. Often times the obgyn has more experience in illnesses, etc. than you realize and may know of the best treatment plan for you .

As for the drilling and scraping, there is A BUNCH OF IT during a root canal!!! All of the tooth has to be drilled down to the root and it is very intensive, if you have a smaller mouth, you will have a very hard time with the root canal while you are pregnant...it's a lot of pressure on your jaw and, for someone who is not good at the dentist, I'm sure it would be a lot of pressure on your body.

Some people say they feel better after a root canal and some people say they hurt for a while. As for me, I always hurt for the first day (i have a smaller mouth and my jaw always hurts afterwards), then my tooth is sensitive for about a month afterwards and I can't use that side of my mouth to chew.

Good luck, I pray you will have comfort and that your baby will be safe no matter what!

Keep in mind that gum infections cause systemic inflammation - which have been linked to preterm labor, and osteomyelitis - a bone infection - can happen from an untreated tooth infection by the time it requires a root canal. I'd find a good dentist, bite the bullet and go.

S.

My elder daughter has had dental work done under general anesthesia. It's expensive because insurance won't cover it, but it was worth it to her.

The last time she had work done was with Dr. Richard Martin in Lewisville. His office was on Main right across from the hospital. She had an extraction done. Her roots are really curly, so it takes a lot of work to get the tooth out.

As far as painkillers go and when to have the surgery, you are so close to term that my inclination would be to wait until after birth if you can, but I'm not a medical professional. My younger daughter had a baby on Monday and ended up with a surprise C section. She's been taking Vicodin for the pain and she's breastfeeding. It surprised me that they'd give her Vicodin, but the obstetrician is the expert.

it's better not to wait if it is infected, because it can cause more problems if it is not infected then i would wait. but if you are in pain it's probably because it is

I would call your OBGYN and ask them or Call another dentist office & try to talk to a Nurse. I know that none of my OB Docs wanted me to be in severe pain because it was a stress on the baby but they didn't want me taking prescription pain medicine without their OK. If you are not in pain I would get them to put in a temporary filling until baby is born, for sure. Best of Luck & Bless Your Heart! I'm hurting for you :( What a sucky time for dental problems. What's even more sucky is that aspirin really is one of the best things you can take for dental pain, even over most prescription meds & you can't have that. I hope you feel better soon.

Ah I was right there with you! I had to go in for a root canal while pregnant and I have always had the fear of the dentist!!! It wasn't bad at all, I went away without any pain. The dentist I use is Dr. Kurt Calender. He's fantastic, always puts me at ease, gives you earphones to listen to music and doesn't talk to you while he is in your mouth unless to make sure you are not in any pain. I was very hesitant to have the work done while pregnant but I think that it is not a good idea to wait. Talk to your ob. Good luck