Dental Emergency in Pregnancy — NDEB AFK MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyMedical Emergencies in DentistryDental Emergency in PregnancyNDEB AFK

Which of the following clinical situations represents a dental emergency in a pregnant patient that should NOT be deferred?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Acute dentoalveolar abscess with facial swelling and fever

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · C = shown as B · D = shown as C · A = shown as D · B = shown as E

Acute dental infections (abscesses with swelling, fever, systemic signs) in pregnant patients should NOT be deferred regardless of trimester, as untreated infections pose a greater risk to both mother and fetus (sepsis, preterm birth) than the dental treatment itself. Treatment includes appropriate antibiotics (amoxicillin is safe in pregnancy), source control (I&D, extraction, emergency pulpotomy), and analgesics (acetaminophen is the safest — NSAIDs are avoided in the third trimester). Lidocaine 2% with 1:100,000 epinephrine is the recommended LA.

Reference: CDA – Dental Management During Pregnancy; Malamed – Handbook of Local Anesthesia, 7th ed., 2020