Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for December 2020

Should I avoid root canal treatment during pregnancy?

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In August 2019, I had a small cavity filled before my dentist did my teeth whitening. I had a six-month checkup in February 2020, and my dentist said my tooth was fine. I went to the dentist two weeks ago because I felt sensitivity in the tooth to cold and air, and my dentist now says I probably need root canal treatment for the molar.

I declined an x-ray because I am six months pregnant. How do I know if it’s just sensitivity or if the tooth is really infected? And how did my tooth decline so quickly from a small cavity with a filling? Thank you. Roxanne

 

Roxanne,

Your dentist did the right thing by filling your cavity before teeth whitening treatment. Teeth bleaching gel can irritate decaying teeth and increase sensitivity.

Custom made trays hold the bleaching gel in place.
Your teeth should be cavity free before bleaching them

But you’re right—the history of tooth decay doesn’t make sense. You had a minor cavity and filling that your dentist checked in February, but now the tooth is sensitive to air and cold. The sensitivity you describe could mean that the cavity is huge, and the tooth needs root canal treatment, or it could mean that the tooth was irritated from something that happened while our dentist placed the filling.

Dr. Perry would need to examine your tooth, but your description doesn’t sound like you need root canal treatment right away.

Root Canal Treatment During Pregnancy?

During the last trimester of pregnancy, unless an oral health problem is urgent, avoid dental work. But if a tooth is infected, it’s not healthy for you or your baby because the infection can spread. You can schedule an appointment with another dentist for a second opinion. But you might need an x-ray for an accurate diagnosis. During the x-ray, if you wear a lead apron covering your stomach, the baby will not be exposed to radiation.

So, it’s your choice, you can wait a while and see if the sensitivity in your tooth persists or gets worse, or you can get a second opinion right away. You can an online article published by the American Dental Association, Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist During Pregnancy?

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Both my front teeth broke. Can a dentist save them?

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I broke both front teeth today. The roots are still intact. I’m checking into an emergency appointment for a dentist to examine them. I know I can get a partial or a bridge, but are root canals and crowns an option, too? Thanks – Kyle

Kyle,

Although Dr. Perry would need to examine and x-ray your teeth for an accurate diagnosis, it may be possible to save broken front teeth with root canals and crowns.

Saving Broken Front Teeth with Root Canal Treatment

Depending on the extent of damage to your broken front teeth, root canal treatment may save them. But not all dentists are willing—or know how—to save teeth with severe breaks. And with the availability of dental implants, most dentists will recommend extractions and implants. A dentist who is interested in preserving your natural teeth might take the following steps if it’s an option:

  • Complete root canal treatment to remove the tooth pulp and prevent infection
  • Put two flexible posts in each root canal tooth to add strength and resistance to rotational forces
  • Attach a crown to the posts

Risks with Posts and Crowns

One risk with post-supported crowns is that rigid metal posts can crack tooth roots. Force on a post can transfer deep into tooth roots and crack them. Many dentists who perform this procedure prefer flexible posts for front teeth, like carbon fiber or fiberglass. Flexible posts are more likely to absorb the stress without breaking your tooth roots.

A flexible post in a rooth canal tootth to build it up in preparation for a dental crown
Sometimes a flexible post can help save a front tooth

We recommend that you look for a dentist with advanced experience and training. Saving your teeth with posts and crowns might not be an option, though. And if a dentist is not experienced with the technique, insisting that they use it anyway can cause more harm than good.

Remember your options:

Please do your research to find two experienced dentists who will see you when their office opens. Get their opinions on treatment options and the results you can expect and schedule treatment promptly. Don’t let the problem linger because it can get worse.

 

Ryan Perry, DDS of Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.