Pregnancy not only brings changes in physiology and hormones but also in your teeth and gums. Oral health should not be taken for granted simply because you are pregnant. Some treatment should be avoided during pregnancy but the treatment concerning the health of the teeth can be performed. Infections in root canal are the most common dental emergencies that pregnant women face. In this article, we will discuss root canal treatment during pregnancy.
When is the best time to have RCT during pregnancy? Is it safe to do so?
Though some dental procedures can be postponed until after pregnancy, but emergency treatment should not wait. In the event of infection in root canal during pregnancy, root canal treatment needs to be performed, because if not treated this infection can spread and therefore, needs to be taken care of.
The second trimester of pregnancy is considered safe as the first trimester is crucial for baby’s development and the only cause of concern is the x-rays and the antibiotics during root canal therapy that may harm baby’s growth. While in the third trimester, woman finds difficult and uncomfortable sitting reclined in dental chair.
Risk associated with root canal treatment
Anesthesia
The anesthesia that the endodontist administers is considered safe for the pregnant woman, but the quantity of anesthesia applied can be the cause of concern.
X-rays
For performing root canal therapy, the endodontist needs to have complete examination of the tooth that needs root canal treatment. He needs to understand the severity of the infection. This can only be achieved by taking an x-ray. But the x-rays done for the purpose of diagnosis have radiations that can be harmful for the fetus.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the medications that are necessarily prescribed by the dentist during root canal therapy in order heal and avoid infections.
