Pregnant and need Dental Work

[Kel Kel1]

I have an old root canal that has gone bad.  Im pretty sure i will need a post and a crown but iam 4 1/2 months pregant.  Will the doc be able to give me novacane and take x-rays?

[Matthew Baron, D.M.D.]

The second trimester is OK to do dental work if necessary.  I'm not sure i follow.  The root canal has gone bad and you're in pain?? or the tooth has broken and you will require a post and crown to restore the tooth.  Either way, it's OK to have novocaine without epinephrine,  and only take x-rays if absolutely necessary with double shielding.

[jgirl34]

I just noticed that my tooth is chipped and the nerves I guess are exposed. Im pretty sure I have an abcess there, and it huuuuuuurts!!! What can I do still being im in the first trimester? DO I just get antibiotics, I don't go to the Dr. until Friday but I wll be sure to ask then just looking for some helpful advice til then. By the way sorry to post on your post but I couldn't post another question as it had reached it's limit!! Any advice would be great...thank you do much!

[who_is_this]

Your dentist will want some sort of confirmation from your OB that it is ok to get dental work done, and what sorts of meds your OB will allow you to be on afterwards.

In general, shielded but limited films are ok, and novocaine should be all right, too.  But your dentist and your OB should be the ones deciding this, not some online internet advice.  Good luck.

[Kel Kel1]

thanks for your imput.  I did call my obyn, i just posted will waiting for a response.  You were right the gave me a notice as what can be done and what med was ok.  Thanks so much

[mike1105]

a coupla things. when it can wait, the proper thing to do is wait until after delivery. this is between your dentist and obgyn. typically, it is safe to do minimally invasive dentistry after the first trimester-----especially if the future of a tooth is at stake.
dentally speaking, a "root canal gone bad" is not generally rectified with a post/crown. a root canal that fails either needs to be redone, or the tooth needs to be removed. i would certainly need to see a flim of the tooth to see if it is salvageable at all.