Root Canal While Pregnant

I actually had to have root canals done on 4 teeth when I was pregnant with my twins! I had a cyst tht grew in my chin, which wrapped itself around the nerve and killed 4 teeth. I didn't feel anything, and after the kids were born, I had the cyst removed....

hi C.,

i had a root canal done just around the time i conceived (i didn't know i was pregnant yet though) so it may have actually been done before conception. that said, once i knew i was pregnant and had to return for follow-up appointments (crown fitting and such) i let my dentist know and he basically said that novacaine is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy. they like to wait until the 2nd, or even 3rd before doing dental work that requires novacaine. because the root was removed from the tooth, the amount of pain from the subsequent visits without novacaine was minimal... just some soreness from the gum being provoked... and i'm extremely sensitive! there were no noticeable effects on my baby, now an energetic and healthy 21 month old.

the other things about dental work during pregnancy is that you're more likely to bleed... clotting time is much longer. be careful with this-- not to lose too much blood.

fyi, for future appointments if you plan to breastfeed: i had to have dental work post-partum too (with a different dentist). i asked him what he thought about novacaine and breastfeeding and he said, "no problem... it might change the taste of your breastmilk but not to worry." well, this didn't make any sense to me... if enough was getting thru into my breastmilk to change the taste then enough was getting thru to potentially effect my baby. i wasn't going to take any chances. so i consulted with 2 pediatricians, one of whom just had a baby herself so she was extra-sensitized to such issues, and both pediatricians advised me to pump and dump. nurse your baby right before you go for the appt. (or pump, to save the good milk) and then 2 hours after you've gotten numbed up pump and toss the milk. hopefully, you won't have to confront this but just in case you do.

have a lovely pregnancy and an even lovelier baby! good luck

K.

Hi C.. I have not had a root canal, but when I was pregnant with my first child I had a tooth surgically removed. I was about 5 months pregnant and the doctor said I could have any necessary dental work done. They even prescribed Tylenol 3 for pain afterward. Luckily I didn't even need to take it. Consult with your doctor because most dentists will not do any work on a pregnant patient without consent from their OB. Also, make sure they do not use the Novacaine with Ephedrine in it. It will make your heart race, and it's not good for the baby. Most dentists have the alternate that works just as well. I can't remember what it's called, but it is not actually Novacaine. As long as you are more then 3 months along there should be no problem. If you aren't out of your first trimester then I suggest you wait as long as you can.

**EDIT** Someone said you can take Motrin while pregnant. DO NOT TAKE MOTRIN WHILE PREGNANT!!!!! Motrin causes the heart valves to close, and while a baby is still growing the heart valves have to stay open until the last few weeks.

Hi C.,

I had a root canal done when I was 8mnths pregnant. They suggest that you wait till you are either in your second or third trimester before any dental work is done. I didn't have any complications, they used general numbing, no gas. I suggest using a small pillow for your lower back. It helps ease some of the discomfort from sitting in the chair for a long period of time. It is a bit uncomfortable and painful procedure to do even when your not pregnant. The work was completed and no harm to my daughter. They allow tylenol for pain, and rest. I hope this helps. Good Luck and congrats!

Hi C.--I did not have a root canal, but I did have 3 cavities filled while pregnant. My son is a beautiful, healthy boy...it doesn't appear to have affected him in the least. Just be sure to wait until the 2nd trimester and get the special preggy safe pain meds. Good luck!

when i was pregnant with my son i broke my tooth and they had to pull it.....they couldnt give me anything because i was still in my 1st trimester so they can me the baby novicane...haha that was like oral gel....adn they had to pull it then they couldnt give me anything after because of the baby.......so it all dependes on what trimester your in...you might be in a lot of pain after so i recommend maybe having someone there to help w/ the baby for a couple days.let me know....

I had a root canal when I was about 4 months pregnant. My son is now three and perfectly fine. I think as long as you make sure your dentist knows your situation he will accomodate accordingly. And if you still are unsure, ask your OB.

you're not kidding it's confusing!
My first cavity turned out to be a root canal and the dentist insited I have the procedure done ASAP (7 mos preg.)
he said all he could give me is Motrin for the pain.
I got myself ready for the experience and when Isat in the chair another dentist asked me if I was in any pain, I said I was not he told me to wait until after the delivery.
He didn't have to tellme twice, I was outta there.
What helped is the antibiotics that killed any infection and I don't eat on that side.
If you are not in pain try to hold off.

my daughter had a root canal while she was pregnant....baby is almost 7 mos old now. the dentist/oral surgeons usually know what to do. she had no residual effects and neither did my grandson

I had a root canal while I was pregnant; I think I was beyond 22 weeks at that point. It was fine the only thing was that they could not use anasthetic; while it was a bit painful--the relief of the toothache was gone and it was well worth it. I suggest that while you're waiting for your root canal appt, take low strength tylenol every 6 hours to chase the toothache pain away

I did not go through root canal while pregnant however I had been in the dental field for many years prior to having my children. Basically my bosses would not recommend any dental treatment be performed without the permission & a written letter from your OB/GYN & usually while in the first trimester dental work should be avoided (again unless an OB/GYN has approved the course of treatment). Usually with root canal a lot of x-rays are required to make sure the entire root has been removed from the tooth. There are procedures called pulpotomies which would relieve the patient of pain & avoid the entire root canal until later on. If a root canal is the only option you have then you have to make sure they put 2 lead aprons over your belly to pretect your unborn child. Although dental x-rays are low in radiation its always best to use the most percautions. This question is difficult to answer because you don't say how far in your pregnancy you are & if your OB/GYN has agreed that you are able to have this procedure while pregnant. No reputable dentist will do any dental work on a pregnant woman without being in close touch with your OB to make sure you get the care you need without harming your unborn child. If you have any further questions please e-mail me where I may be able to be more specific to your needs & I can contact my old bosses to get you the best advice I can.

Hello,
I work in the dental office and pregnant woman are treated once they reach the 2nd trimester. We usually ask for a any consent form from the ob/gyn office letting us know that it is okayh to treat patient. We also give local anesthia but without the epi in it. It's usually Carbocaine 3%. Epi is in what lidocaine is made of. It makes your heart frace and your edridiline go up. We treat a lot of pregnant woman and never had any problems. Check with your ob/gyn. It's also vey important to get your teeth cleand while pregnant. The extra hormones due a lot of stuff to the gums and cause irration.

I had a lot of dental work done myself when I was pregnant. As long as your dentist knows then he will use a different type of numbing treatment, at least thats what my dentist did and I am fine as so is my baby! For painkillers you can take Percoset and Motrin, those are safe when you are pregnant. Good luck, root canal is no picnic...i know as ive had three of them.

i did. you just have to get the kind that doesn't have a certain kind of drug. i forget what it's called but it starts with an E. :)
you can ask your GYN/OB what is safe. they know what to tell you or you can have them call the dentist.

-L.

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yeah. i should have read the other responses first!!! :) they are right... :)

C.,

While I was pregnant with my son who is now 8, I had a root canal done. I did regret it because I had to wind up having the tooth extracted anyway. They take extra precauctions like making sure you are all covered with the protective shield when they are taking X-rays. I had two shields placed on top of me. The novacain was fine because I had checked with my OB/GYN before going to have the procedure done.

By the way, I was 8 months pregnant when I had it done. and everything turned out fine.

hi, i myself have never gone through that (pregnant or not), but a friend of mine had to (i think 2 times) while she was pregnant. she also was a bit worried about it, but talked to the dentist and let them know...just like her dr. said to do. she had everything that needed to be done, and no problems with the pregnancy afterwards, and her son is now almost 3 and no problems. just let the dentist know, (s)he'll let you know exactly what needs to be done.