Top 2nd Molars

[jessbear]

are badly broken and need to be extracted. I am soo depressed about it, and ashamed that I've been putting it off for a very long time now, but there's almost nothing left to hold on to. I'm 6 months pregnant, but my dentist told me I have to wait to have to have the baby to avoid infection.. is this right? another question, my wisdom teeth haven't come in yet, but could I use them to replace my 2 nd molars? if so, should I get partials there for now after the extraction? I'm soo embarrassed I didn't get my teeth fixed from the beginning but I've always been so terrified of the dentists and I beat myself up everyday about it and I'm only 23 and that's even more depressing

 

[norwegianchick]

Hi! I'm not a dentist, but unless you have an infection or are in pain now, I'd wait till you have had the baby. Antibiotics used to treat infections after extractions are generally safe for the baby, but you might need pain meds, and it's good to be able to take any medication you might need without having to worry about the baby.

If the 3d molar comes out straight, it can be used to make a bridge to replace the 2d molar, but many people eat their food with no problems without upper 2d molars, no partial or anything.

If you're not in pain, then don't worry too much about it, you've got something a lot more important going on right now And very few of us have perfect teeth, I certainly don't, but I'm getting it sorted.

Take care!

 

[brit]

Dentists (especially male ones as they don't know what pregnancy feels like) vary a lot in their attitudes to treating pregnant women, often on a 'just in case/don't want to get sued' basis.

If you are in pain and have infection, I would insist on being treated now...no need to make the last 3 months of pregnancy any more miserable than they need to be. Your body fighting off an infection constantly is not healthy for your baby either. Local anaesthetic is deemed safe by most it seems to me from reading but there is a reluctance to treat 'unnecessarily'.
Ask your pregnancy consultant's advice if your dentist needs encouragement, they may well have a different view depending how severe your current dental issue is.

Remember in the first few months with a brand new baby you won't feel like going near a dentist either..you will be far too busy and will put yourself on the back burner for even longer yet again.

You could also avoid amalgam fillings and x-rays to be on the safe side but I am sure the LA is considered fine by most people. To some extent it is your decsion, if you had an appendicitis they wouldn't tell you to wait till after delivery now would they?

An old thread on pregnancy and treatment:

Pregnant and need to see a dentist

Pregnant and undergoing root canal treatment

 

[jessbear]

Yeah I think it's best to wait til the baby is here. Right now there is barely any room for my wisdom teeth to come in, so I'm thinking once my molars are pulled they'd eventually grow out. I just don't trust dentists, they're always wanting to extract wisdom teeth even if there's nothing wrong with them. If they can come in straight, I just don't know if I'd be able to handle the transition without feeling terrible about myself...