A woman in her third trimester needs root canal treatment and is in pain. What is the appropriate management?

Correct answer: A. Perform the pulpectomy to relieve the pain

• A. Correct. Emergency care to relieve pain and infection is appropriate at any stage of pregnancy — untreated infection poses greater risk than treatment. Keep appointments short, position the patient with a left lateral tilt to avoid supine hypotensive syndrome, and shield for any radiographs.
• B. Opioids in the third trimester risk neonatal dependence and respiratory depression, and do not address the source.
• C. General anesthesia carries substantially more risk than treatment under local anesthetic.
• D. Leaving an infected, painful tooth untreated risks systemic infection and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.