No one wants oral surgery, particularly when you are expecting; however, if an emergency occurs and the dentist believes the right thing to do is remove the tooth, you can rest assure, it is safe. When it comes to tooth extraction, timing is key. The ADA recommends dental work should be accomplished in the second trimester, after the period of morning sickness and before the final months of pregnancy. If Dr. Mo Banki thinks you can wait until after delivery, that is the optimal time. There are some reasons why a damaged tooth may need removal during pregnancy, including:
- A broken tooth – if the tooth has broken in half and there is not enough dentin to place a crown, extracting it may be best.
- Infection – A deep cavity that leads to an abscess can affect not only your health, but that of the baby, especially if the pain is severe enough to cause significant stress. Also, the inflammation and resulting fever can cause stress in the growing fetus.
- A failed root canal – if you’ve had a prior root canal and notice symptoms of infection and swelling, the roots have to be re-cleaned, which the dentist may advise against, depending on the severity.
If your tooth is severely damaged, it’s better to take out the tooth, no matter how far along you are, since infection festering in the mouth can cause problems, especially in the third trimester. Before the procedure, we will ensure you are comfortable and relaxed. We will also monitor you throughout the surgery for any issues that may surface. After, we will give you instructions to follow, to ensure a speedy recovery. Â
Contact MSL Surgery at 401-739-5500 for an appointment if you have any of the above situations. Our mission is your dental care in Warwick, Rhode Island.