dental work before surgery?????

Hello all,

I have a quick question... I have a tooth that has broken above the gum but not below the gum, I need to get it taken care of before it causes me lots of trouble. I'm having the "big" surgery June 30th, do any of you know anything about having dental work before surgery. I have always heard that you shouldn't have dental work close to a surgery. Any comments?

Hi Crystal,

I thought I'd give you my opinion on this, since I've had a lot of dental work done! But please see your dentist and if need be, run his opinion and plans by your doctor, as I can't advise you medically.

Are you having a crown done? If so, I'd imagine if you could go ahead and have it done -- that is, get the temporary crown, and then have the permanent crown done before your hysterectomy -- if you go ahead and get to your dentist. It usually takes a week or two to get the permanent crown back from the lab that's making it.

It sounds to me like a crown job, and I only say that because I've got several crowns. I've had old fillings break, thus causing the need for the crown. That's what it sounded like when you said your tooth was broken above the gum but not below. If you have a fair amount of tooth left above your gum, it sounds like they could do a crown.

I wouldn't think they'd have to do any surgery at all; crowns are done while you're awake, with local anesthesia.

BUT -- I'm neither a dentist nor a doctor, so please contact both of those guys and find out what your options are!

Take care!

Lisa

I had a wisdom tooth pulled a week before my surgery. It was not impacted, a simple extraction. I told my dentist about the upcoming surgery and he said I should take care of it, as a cavity was dangerously close to a nerve and I wouldn't want to deal with a toothache on top of recovering from a hysterectomy.

This tooth had already been filled once and was beyond saving. All went OK with it; I think it may depend on how extensive the dental work is. I'd check with my surgeon.

Good luck!