topic Re: Root Canal Question in Wellness

Root Canal Question

granddi — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 22:53:03 GMT

Do you let the general dentist do the procedure or do you insist/request referral to endodonist?

Re: Root Canal Question

Justice4all — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 22:58:56 GMT

I would go with a well recommended endodontist.

Re: Root Canal Question

KentuckyWoman — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:06:58 GMT

My dentist did mine and I got along just fine. She offered to refer me but I declined.

Re: Root Canal Question

Shelbelle — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:15:38 GMT

Usually if it is a tooth with more than one root, as some have 3, it is best to go to endodentist, their equipment is far superior, my regular dentist told me that. But keep in mind their price is much higher too, even with insurance. I had one done last year in a tooth that was crowned, and it had to be done thru the crown, my regular dentist would not touch it. He was amazed after when he saw the work of the endodentist.

Re: Root Canal Question

ruthbe — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:19:09 GMT

I agree with Justice4all...go to a recommended endodontist. I don't fool around with certain things. My teeth, eyes, etc. They cannot be replaced. Yes you will pay more, but in this case I feel it is so worth it!!

Re: Root Canal Question

luv-the-Q — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 23:57:47 GMT

I wish my general dentist would do it. He refers me to someone else 80 miles away. I remember when my dentist used to do everything. He retired and now you have to see a specialist for everything. I don't like it.

Re: Root Canal Question

SeaMaiden — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:08:37 GMT

@granddi I had most of mine done at an endodontist. One I had done at my regular dentist office. Some root canals are much more difficult and require special types of X-rays and equipment that a regular doctor may not have. I have about 5 root canals. Two done this year. I am sure I will have more. I have many crowns.. and a crown eventually ends up a root canal..☹️👎

Re: Root Canal Question

Sooner — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:12:58 GMT

My dentist recommended one and would do it, but I said I would rather go to someone who does that all day every day and I hope that didn't hurt his feelings. He assurred me it didn't.

When I saw him next time he asked how it went and said he was so glad I spoke up because it always was something he didn't really like to do and after I said that he thought "Why am I doing these?" He said he was so happy about it and was never going to do another one! LOL!!! You never know!

He said that sure they could do it quicker, had all the tools at hand and used them all day, etc.

Re: Root Canal Question

Kachina624 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:17:33 GMT

My dentist has always done my root canals but he retired, so I don't know what I'd do now if I needed one.

Re: Root Canal Question

software — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:47:30 GMT

I've always used the specialist.

But if your dentist has the electronic microscope available to do it, then he's probably more than qualified. You want to be sure he/she can see every root/nerve and every part of the root/nerve and you can only do that with the microscope.

@granddi

Re: Root Canal Question

RedTop — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 01:41:16 GMT

I've had 4 done by my dentist at the time, and one done by an endodontist, 1 1/2 hrs away. The procedure by the endodontist was done in less time, but the filling cracked later, and was redone by my dentist. I prefer to stick with my local dentist.

Re: Root Canal Question

patbz — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 01:41:55 GMT

I have never had a root canal and at 73, I hope I never need one. My Mother was on a trip to India (40 years ago) and needed an emergency root canal. She was visiting a hole in the wall jeweller (which a friend recommended) and HE found a local Indian dentist who did the deed. Everything turned out fine ( how many Indian and Pakistani medical personnel have we all encountered?).

Re: Root Canal Question

mollymaggie — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 02:50:23 GMT

You are going to pay the same for going to a doctor that only does root canals They will have the latest equipment which means quicker and more precise

Re: Root Canal Question

151949 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 05:22:11 GMT

@Kachina -I'm in the same situation as you. My old dentist did them but he is retired. He did one for me right through a bridge.

Re: Root Canal Question

Sameolmollysmama — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 05:59:08 GMT

Software, while high tech is awesome, it's really not necessary for MOST cases. Root canals really aren't the big deal that people make them out to be. I've assisted in many of them, several years ago, and it's usually easy enough to make sure you've reamed the canal sufficiently with a regular X-ray. Most dentists are capable of performing root canals, but they're time consuming. The ones they're most likely to refer out are molars, which have multiple roots and are hard to reach. Keep in mind that if you go to someone using fancy microscopes, etc., you're going to be paying for those. Dental equipment isn't cheap, and patients aren't exactly beating down the doors. Also keep in mind that every tooth with a root canal will require a crown following the treatment. Root canals can be easily done on teeth that already have crowns. The crown doesn't appear in an X-ray, but the roots do and that's all the dentist needs to see. Another tip: don't go to an endodontist as your first appt to see if you need a root canal! Go to your regular dentist and let him decide.

Re: Root Canal Question

Sameolmollysmama — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 06:06:56 GMT

RedTop, hi. I'm just curious. Why wasn't a crown put on your tooth following the root canal?

Re: Root Canal Question

ID2 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:14:49 GMT

I've never heard of a dentist doing a root canal. I'm always referred to a specialist and welcome that! My rool canals have always been a piece of cake, painfree and quickly done.

Re: Root Canal Question

Skyegirl21 — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:22:12 GMT

Absolutely go to specialist. Endodontists have much more experience!

Re: Root Canal Question

Silver Lining — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:29:45 GMT

@Sameolmollysmama wrote:
Software, while high tech is awesome, it's really not necessary for MOST cases. Root canals really aren't the big deal that people make them out to be. I've assisted in many of them, several years ago, and it's usually easy enough to make sure you've reamed the canal sufficiently with a regular X-ray. Most dentists are capable of performing root canals, but they're time consuming. The ones they're most likely to refer out are molars, which have multiple roots and are hard to reach. Keep in mind that if you go to someone using fancy microscopes, etc., you're going to be paying for those. Dental equipment isn't cheap, and patients aren't exactly beating down the doors. Also keep in mind that every tooth with a root canal will require a crown following the treatment. Root canals can be easily done on teeth that already have crowns. The crown doesn't appear in an X-ray, but the roots do and that's all the dentist needs to see. Another tip: don't go to an endodontist as your first appt to see if you need a root canal! Go to your regular dentist and let him decide.

@Sameolmollysmama, great information from a person who has had lots of experience. My regular dentist has done a root canal on one of my upper molars that already had a crown and one that didn't. Both times he asked me if I wanted a referral. I have total confidence in his training and ability. He has state of the art digital equipment and I trust him to know his limitations.

Re: Root Canal Question

drizzellla — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:38:23 GMT

My Dentist wouldn't do a root canal - so I never had the choice. But I must say I had an unpleasant experience at my endodonist last time. Yes, I have had much work done on my teeth. In fact I went to my Dentist on Monday, my file is about 4 inches thick. My Dentist said it is time to start file #2.

BUT the root canal may not be permanent. And then you need to get implants. I am now of the opinion to skip the root canal and get an implant instead.