Root Canal During Pregnancy, Ok or Not?

Ask for a referral to an endodontic specialist. Some have the capability to just numb that specific tooth to do the root canal. It is more expensive, but worth it. I had to have one when I was pregnant with my youngest (now 4). The anesthesia does not go systemic. Research it online. If you are in the Virginia Beach let me know and i'll send you the name of the guy I went too. Good luck!

Supposedly it's fine after the first trimester, but they prefer not to do it during the third because of the discomfort and strain on your vascular system from lying on your back for so long under the weight of your uterus. So, the second trimester seems like it would be the best time. It's a matter of risks vs. benefits and I don't think the risks are significant enough to outweigh the benefit.

Also, until you can have it done, try these things for pain relief, they helped my hubs enormously when he needed a root canal.

1. Sliced garlic, held between the cheek and the tooth in question. Yes, your breath won't be very pleasant, but you wouldn't believe the pain relief this will give you.
2. OregaDENT clove oil (found in most natural food/herb stores.) Ask your doctor about using this one during pregnancy, since I have no idea if it's considered ok. It's an antiseptic and an analgesic, so it will also help a LOT!

Best of luck!

i used orajel alot during my pregnancy and had no complications.

I had an emergency tooth extraction very close to my 3d trimester, and it was fine. They can't put you out, but will numb things up really well. My doctor also gave me Vicodin (Tylenol with codeine) for the pain - I only needed it for about a day, but it really did help. Good luck!

I've had major work on my mouth with several pregnancies...my most recent was an implant and my dentist was very attentitive to me always asking how I was doing...and if I am not mistaken I was still in my 2 but close to my 3 trimester. Your OB and Dentist would definitely let you know if it wasn't ok and so if you want it done I'd go ahead and do it! Dentist should do it anyway, just make sure they double up on the xray shield for you! Good luck!

It's tricky because you don't want the infection to spread which could cause problems. I needed a root canal while pregnant but the dentist told me to wait until I delivered, which I did. I wasn't in pain, though. Follow your OB's advice, I would think that during the 2nd or 3rd trimester it would be OK.

Just as a note, I had some new kind of novicane with epinepherine (adrenaline) in it which I reacted very strangely to (racing heart, shakes). Ask your OB to spell out exactly what type of anesthesia is OK.

I had a cavity filled late in my third trimester with my last child. I hate local anesthesia and it worked out fine! Definitely check with your ob though and his/her views on it!

According to my dentist, if there is an emergency, they will do dental work during pregnancy, but prefer you to have it handled before or after pregnancy.

However, my dentist said that they would refer the procedure out. I am guessing the referral would be to someone with more qualifications on anesthesia.

My sister had a root canal during her pregnancy. I don't know at what point she had it but both she and her son are perfectly healthy and normal. I know that's not much help, I just wanted to chime in that there are women who've had it done and are better afterward and the baby is fine.

I had a root canal while 12 weeks pregnant with my first child. This included local anesthesia and x-rays. All were safe to get during pregnancy (according to my high-risk OB/GYN and oral surgeon). Everything turned out well and my tooth felt so much better!

I heard any major dental work can be done during the 2nd trimester as the best time. I am 23 weeks and had to get a wisdom tooth pulled this past Friday. I had horrible horrible pain from it (for a day) and I couldn't wait a whole weekend to see the dentist. So I begged to be seen on Friday. I also talked to a nurse at my ob's office and she said it was ok to get dental work done and what should be used as pain relief and antibiotics if needed. The dentist didn't take any x-rays since he could obviously see that the tooth had to be taken out. He also said that if you are in the first or third trimester, they shouldn't do x-rays. The dentist gave me a local, a shot into my gums, that didn't hurt much at all. He then waited about 10 minutes so the local could take affect and pulled that sucker out in 2 minutes. I didn't feel a thing and still, after 4 days, have not felt any pain, yay!! It might be different with a root canal. I was so worried about getting an infection, i just had to see a dentist. Call your ob and then your dentist and see what can be done. I couldn't stand the pain for a day, I can't imagine if I had to deal with the pain for a longer period of time. Way to stressful. Good luck and I hope you get some pain relief soon. BTW, the nurse at my ob's office said I could take Tylenol Extra Strength for the pain. It helped, but when I wanted to sleep, it totally didn't work. Ambesol only worked for like 10 minutes and then had to re-aply so that wasn't a great option for me.

This is correct. Usually the second trimester is best. Of course, if you end up with an emergency situation with extreme pain, then that's different. Wait til the second, if you can. However, if it blows up on you so to speak, you are better to have it resolved now. The infection in your mouth can go to other areas in your bloodstream. My husband and I are both dental professionals. If you have any questions about it, feel free to contact me.