Question from Lucy Bradley, Coventry:
Can I have cosmetic dentistry done when pregnant?
I was planning on having porcelain veneers fitted but have just found out that I am six weeks pregnant. Can I go ahead with getting the veneers fitted or should I wait until after the baby is born?
It is advisable to have any routine dental work which you may need, done during the second trimester of your pregnancy. This is because during the first trimester, the fetus is still developing and as such it could be dangerous for you to have any sort of anaesthetic. Once this worrying period is over, it is considered safe to avail of any routine dental work which is required. It is also not recommended that you have any dental work done if it can be avoided, during the third trimester as this could place undue stress on the baby. In the case of emergency treatment such as tooth extractions or root canals, it is important that these situations be taken care of during any of the stages of pregnancy as the infection present could be more harmful to the baby than the dental treatment involved. In the case of cosmetic dentistry it is advisable that you defer getting any unnecessary dental work done at all while pregnant and for the safety of your baby, you should reschedule your plans until after the baby is born.
