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amyable
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| Posted: Feb 16 2007 at 8:30am | IP Logged
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Lucky me, I just chipped the whole corner off of a molar!  I *am* lucky, in that it doesn't really hurt right now, more than a little "irritated" feeling. I have an appointment to have it looked at next Tuesday.
During my first prenatal visit, the nurse went over safe medications - novacaine was deemed OK. Is it really? Or better off avoided?
I'm in my first trimester, and would love to avoid anything except what is totally necessary. Anyone else deal with this or know of other options? I am pretty brave at the dentist(although worried about the whole first-trimester "gaggy feeling"  ) and can handle some pain if it's for the good of the baby.
Thanks for any info - I want to go to my appointment armed with what I am and am not willing to do.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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mellyrose
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| Posted: Feb 16 2007 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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Amy, I needed a ridiculous amount of dental work during this current pregnancy :( In fact, I found out I was pregnant bc I needed so much work and thought "Oh! I better check if I'm pregnant before doing it" (I cycle only 1-2 times a year, so I'm never really sure.)
ANYWAY!
Yes, novacaine is safe. My dentists (yes, plural, I needed a general dentist and 3 different specialists) used small as possible doses, however.
My OB said that painkillers (like Vicodin) were okay to manage pain, but the endodontist refused to prescribe any because he didn't agree. I survived - but was in quite a bit of pain.
(Since August, I had a tooth extracted, 2 root canals, and crown lengthening (gum removal), and finally the crowns placed last week)
I pushed the crown lengthening surgery until my 2nd trimester, but had no choice about the extraction and root canals happening in the 1st. The risk of infection hurting the baby was greater than the possible risk of something happening as a result of the work.
Ask your dentist what can wait until the 2nd trimester. If there is any risk of infection, everything I read and was told made me decide to avoid infection at all costs.
Sorry you've got to deal with this! Good Luck!!
Melanie
Mom to boy6, boy4 and girl on the way!
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 16 2007 at 3:44pm | IP Logged
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I had to have dental work done during my first trimester last time. It's a family practise.. our dentist is Catholic though his dad is not.. but it was very nice that I didn't get any flack from the dentists about it.
I had had a root canal that was partially done.. so it had to be finished.
And there had to be numbing agents or there was no way I was gonna be able to let them do anything.
And I had to have xrays because of the nature of the work.. but they have the low radiation xray machines.. normally patients don't even have the iron drapes put on them.. and they put 2 of those on me  basically doing everything they could to get through it with the least harmful stuff to baby.
After that they said they prefer waiting for 2nd trimester.. less possible damage to the baby (just because of where the baby's development level is) and mom not being so sick.. and not worrying about a 3rd trimester belly hurting you being on your back.
I just waited for anything else at all.. figuring if anything got critical that was soon enough.. and here baby is 2.5 months old and I still haven't gotten back in. 
I did take arnica and bach's rescue remedy before hand to keep swelling down and help me relax more (both homeopathics) both of which help you be in less pain later.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Angela F
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| Posted: Feb 16 2007 at 4:15pm | IP Logged
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Hi Amy,
So sorry you have to do this now.  I've had a *bunch* of dental work done this pregnancy but nothing very serious. Just an aside, one dentist told me they don't really use "novacaine" anymore; different anesthetics now.
I didn't need X-rays, so can't comment on that, but if you're slightly queasy, I'd wait til the second trimester! I haven't had any problems other than headaches the rest of the day, and I don't think they were because I'm pregnant. You could always ask your dentist what numbing agent they use and then have a chat with your doctor. You definitely don't want that cracked molar to turn into a needed root canal later! Yuck! A crown now would be much better!
Just my thoughts,
God bless,
Angela
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Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
St. Josemaria Escriva
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ALmom
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| Posted: Feb 20 2007 at 10:07pm | IP Logged
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How long will the work take? I always have my teeth fillrd without anything. But I did have to have a skin cancer removed during preg. and doc came up with injecting salt water into the local area as a numbing agent. It worked as well as novacaine for me - supposedly doesn't last as long so cannot be a super lengthy proceedure. It might be worth asking about.
Janet
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Topic: Dental work in pregnancy?
