Tooth Extraction During Pregnancy: Risks & Considerations

Question
Hi. We are about to adopt a child, the mom is 30 weeks pregnant and has told me that she needs 11 teeth extracted.  She wants them pulled prior to delivery because she wants her medicaid benefits to pay for this.  Can you please give me your opinion about this stuff. Apparently the dentist will give novacaine only for the extractions.  I'm concerned about premature delivery.  What other risks are there?
Thank you
Mary

Answer
Let us consider the following questions:

1. What is the nature of the disease affecting her teeth?
Are the teeth beyond repair and require immediate extraction. You mentioned about 11 teeth being removed. This is quite a number of teeth to be removed at one sitting.

2. Is there need for an X ray?
Many dental procedures require some X ray, especially when so many teeth are involved. Although the dose of radiation delivered by a dental X Ray is low and coupled with shielding, can reduce the risk to foetus to very low levels, there is still a theoretical risk.

3. Anesthesia?
Lignocaine is the most commonly used dental anesthetic and is usually safe. Although it does cause the placenta, fetal defects are not reported. Pre term labour has also not been reported.

4. Medicines?
After the procedure she is likely to require antibiotics and pain killers. The doctor must aware about the pregnancy so that the medicines can prescribed appropriately.

The American pregnancy organization recommends that only essential, emergency dental treatment be carried out during pregnancy. Non emergency, cosmetic and other treatments are best postponed after delivery.

From what you describe, I assume that the problem is neither an emergency nor the appropriate treatment for her condition. But since this is about economics I think you will need to make a decision on factors which  do not concur with medical opinion.  I hope this clears up your doubts.