Problems Post Root Canal while Pregnant
 

I recently had a root canal about six weeks ago now. In some ways, I'm not entirely sure I needed the root canal because the pulp wasn't infected and I only had a cavity which they deemed as "deep". In any case, I went ahead with the root canal and then had planned to get the temporary filling removed at about 2-3 weeks and have the permanent filling placed, but after a week I still had a lot of swelling and pain. I went back to the endodontist who assured me it was just due to inflammation and that nothing else was wrong. She had me take take a bunch of anti-inflammatory drugs to remedy this problem. It seemed to help for a week or two but now I'm back to where I started.

In the meantime, I assumed I would have my tooth issue taken care of quickly after the root canal and so I went ahead with plans to try and conceive. (I wish I knew then that the root canal wouldn't be so simple like everyone suggested!!) In any case, I am now in the early stages of my pregnancy with concerns that my root canal is infected. (I've read through these boards and have seen that they are technically always infected... wish I knew that earlier too!). I have an appointment with the regular dentist tomorrow to place the permanent filling and to be fitted for a crown. I'm hoping she will still do the permanent filling because I think this temporary needs to be replaced no matter what. Then I'm really hoping that they will be willing to do an x-ray so that we can see the extent of the infection or whatever is causing the swelling. The problem is, many dentists won't do much of anything until a person is in their second trimester. So what should I do if they refuse to do an x-ray? I am more concerned with a possible infection than I am with an x-ray.

Do you think it would be safe to wait until the second trimester if they refuse to treat it? I'm not in a lot of pain or anything and the swelling seems to wax and wane (I have read that's not always a good indication of the extent of an infection though). At this point, I think I would really just like to have the tooth extracted, but I'm afraid that won't be an option for me for 2.5 more months. Any advice on what I should do? I am really anxious over a possible infection spreading to the baby, but I don't know what to do at this point:/

Thanks!!

Hi cherienic,

You have every reason to be very concerned. It is true that all root canaled teeth are inflamed and infected.... there is no denying that. However, you may not get your dentist to admit that to you.

I would suggest that before you do anything else, you consult with an oral surgeon to get his opinion on the situation and when it would be wise to have that tooth extracted. I would also suggest that you inform your OBGYN about the tooth infection for their opinion as well.

Many pregnant women undergo various dental work, even extractions, during their pregnancy. Ironically, it is never okay or a wise recommendation to have root canal during pregnancy..... why? Because the procedure itself is toxic, plain and simple.

Extractions are performed on pregnant women after several factors are taken into consideration....

1) Overall health of the patient and her baby.
2) What trimester is the patient in?
3) How sick is the tooth and how progressive is the infection ... what will be needed in addition to the removal of the tooth? Ex: antibiotics and pain meds, sinus closure (if sinus is perforated), etc.

Please seek the advice of your OBGYN and an oral surgeon. Do not let anyone talk you into keeping this tooth if that is not what you believe to be in your best interest. Take everything into careful consideration.

Please keep us posted.
Bryanna




QUOTE=cherienic008;1043146]I recently had a root canal about six weeks ago now. In some ways, I'm not entirely sure I needed the root canal because the pulp wasn't infected and I only had a cavity which they deemed as "deep". In any case, I went ahead with the root canal and then had planned to get the temporary filling removed at about 2-3 weeks and have the permanent filling placed, but after a week I still had a lot of swelling and pain. I went back to the endodontist who assured me it was just due to inflammation and that nothing else was wrong. She had me take take a bunch of anti-inflammatory drugs to remedy this problem. It seemed to help for a week or two but now I'm back to where I started.

In the meantime, I assumed I would have my tooth issue taken care of quickly after the root canal and so I went ahead with plans to try and conceive. (I wish I knew then that the root canal wouldn't be so simple like everyone suggested!!) In any case, I am now in the early stages of my pregnancy with concerns that my root canal is infected. (I've read through these boards and have seen that they are technically always infected... wish I knew that earlier too!). I have an appointment with the regular dentist tomorrow to place the permanent filling and to be fitted for a crown. I'm hoping she will still do the permanent filling because I think this temporary needs to be replaced no matter what. Then I'm really hoping that they will be willing to do an x-ray so that we can see the extent of the infection or whatever is causing the swelling. The problem is, many dentists won't do much of anything until a person is in their second trimester. So what should I do if they refuse to do an x-ray? I am more concerned with a possible infection than I am with an x-ray.

Do you think it would be safe to wait until the second trimester if they refuse to treat it? I'm not in a lot of pain or anything and the swelling seems to wax and wane (I have read that's not always a good indication of the extent of an infection though). At this point, I think I would really just like to have the tooth extracted, but I'm afraid that won't be an option for me for 2.5 more months. Any advice on what I should do? I am really anxious over a possible infection spreading to the baby, but I don't know what to do at this point:/

Thanks!![/QUOTE]

Thank you for your response. I will see my general dentist tomorrow and will get her opinion on the tooth. I honestly don't trust the opinion of my endodontist so hopefully my regular dentist doesn't just try and send me back there! I got the feeling that the endodontist won't want to admit if anything is wrong with the tooth so I feel like it would be pointless. She would also probably just want me to get a second root canal which I've decided that I do not want.

Hopefully I will get good news of some sort tomorrow!