Pregnant: Should I See Emergency Dentist for Lost Crown?

I’m wondering if I need to see the emergency dentist or if I can wait until I’ve had my baby. I’m 30 weeks along and my pregnancy has been uneventful, aside from morning sickness. I’ve been good about getting my teeth cleaned, and was in just before I got pregnant. However, the other night when I was eating dinner, I lost my crown. It just fell out. The tooth doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t appear to be broken, but it looks a little funky-colored because I used to have a big amalgam filling on that one. I don’t really want to go in because of the stress I might put on the baby during any dental work, so I’d like to hold off until the baby is born. Is this ok, or do I need to book with the emergency dentist now?

Thank you,

Betsy

Dear Betsy,

Congratulations on the pregnancy! It’s good to hear everything has been going well so far. The short answer is that a lost crown is not a true dental emergency, but it’s something you’re going to want to get fixed sooner rather than later.

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Dental Care is Important During Pregnancy

It’s important to visit your dentist regularly, but even more so while you’re pregnant. Gum disease is linked to all sorts of pregnancy complications, ranging from preeclampsia to preterm labor, low birth weight, and more. Most of the time, you’ll only need to see your dentist twice a year, but it’s often recommended that you squeeze in an extra visit when you’re expecting. It sounds like you’re already a little behind schedule, so you should get an exam cleaning done soon too.

Your Tooth May Have an Underlying Problem

The fact that you’re not in pain is promising, but crowns don’t usually fall off for no reason. There could be decay there being masked by the amalgam or perhaps hiding under the filling. The doctor will need to take a look and see what’s happening.

You Don’t Need an Emergency Dentist, But You Should Be Seen Soon

Even if that tooth isn’t harboring decay, it’s at risk now that it isn’t covered. It’s more prone to decay, and there’s a chance you might break it as well. There’s no telling if/ when you’ll experience a problem, so the sooner you get in, the better. Don’t wait until the baby is born; aim for an appointment this week or in the next few days if you can.

Your Visit Shouldn’t Be Stressful

It’s unclear what part of treatment you were worried would put stress on the baby, but most OBGYNs clear their patients for dental treatment after the 12-week mark. They may make recommendations on the type of anesthetic that can be used and such, so your dentist will probably want to chat with your OB before any work is done, but otherwise treatment isn’t stressful to the baby, and can be beneficial if you’re struggling with gum health. If, on the other hand, it’s you who gets stressed out in the chair, you may want to look for a caters-to-cowards dentist or gentle dentist. These types of doctors work with anxious patients more often and have measures in place to keep you more comfortable during treatment.

This blog is sponsored by Elgin emergency dentist, Dr. Steve Sirin.