My tooth broke!!!

I have an extreme fear of the dentist. I had a root canal 8 years ago and had such a traumatic experience that I never went back to have it crowned.

Well, I come to find out (via x-ray last summer) that the root canal was done incorrectly, and there's still a big piece of the nerve in there. My plan was to take care of it this summer--then I got my BFP.

Fast forward to yesterday--I woke up and found that a huge piece of my enamel is gone, and the only thing left in that area is the cement that's holding the posts in place.

I guess what I'm asking is--I know dental care is very important in pregnancy, but is novocaine safe? I know I need to get this fixed...but I'm only 9 1/2 weeks, and I know I can't really have x-rays done...

Add this to the pile of things with awful timing.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

Call your OB and ask. Most dentists will not even see you to get work done while pregnant without the OK of your OB.

I chipped a crown in the back of my mouth at three months. Since I was not in any pain, my dentist did not want to do any work until after the baby was born.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

I cracked the back of my tooth superbowl sunday when I was pregnant. They were going to give me novicane and fill it like a cavity. I flipped because I am used to having sweet air before getting the shot. I couldn't get myself calm and it was bad. So in the end I had my tooth bonded and I now have to go back and have it taken care of.

Call your OB and tell them what is going on. My dentist wanted a fax release from my OB stating what I could and couldn't have before they would see me.

I feel for you though I hate the dentist too.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

you can have dental work done. I chipped tooth while pregnant with Ella, and had to have it fixed.

They'll double up on the lead when taking x-rays, and its recommended to use a novacaine without epinephrine.

(I also have a irrational fear of the dentist, which is why that chipped tooth still has a quick fix repair rather than the crown it needs
)

Message edited 5/18/2008 9:11:05 PM.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

Try to make it until your second trimester. But if you're in pain, call your OB and tell them what's going on. I was told to stay away in my first trimester. I ended up having 3 emergency root canals while PG, so dental work can be done. Just make sure the dentist knows you are PG and they give you novacaine without epi.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

My dentist said that he uses novicane that is safe for pregnancy. I have a small cavity that needs to be filled, but I opted to wait till after arrives because I am not feeling any pain. I think it's a personal choice and depends on your dentist. If you hate your dentist and need a REALLY good one, let me know. I have a terrible fear of the dentist but recently started going to a new one (as per DH's recommendation) and I am IN LOVE with my new dentist. He is so gentile and very understanding of my anxieties. FM me if you want his name and info.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

I had a lot of dental work done through both my pregnancies. A wisdom tooth extraction, my dental implant, etc. All that was required by my OB was that the dentist use the novociane without epinephrine (because that crosses the placenta). Having dental work is perfectly fine.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

My OB gave me a handout with commonly asked questions and answers...

under the dental category, it said novocaine w/o epinephrine... as others mentioned...

definitely call your ob and dentist and get it taken care of...

Re: My tooth broke!!!

yes def call the dentist, it is safe in all trimesters. My OB hands out and makes you bring it back that you saw a dentist and got a clear bill of health or if in need of dental work that it is getting done and every 3 months a cleaning ( 1x each trimester) , it is super duper important.
they will use a numbing solution that does not contain epinephrine but you most certainly want to get that fixed. best of luck.

Re: My tooth broke!!!

My OB said novacane is fine (I am having 2 dental implants done) she did say it's better to wait until the 2nd trimester unless it is an emergency.