Wellness

[TaylorBrown]

When I had a root canal my dentist sent me to a dental surgeon.  I had no choice in the matter.

[software]

---

@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.

---

I respectfully disagree with your post, and I'm not the one having the root canal.

So to each their own

[Yardlie]

As a retired dental hygienist, I can tell you that dentists usually know what they can handle. They receive training in school on doing root canals, oral surgery, etc. Some dentists will flatly refuse to do any root canals or oral surgery, while others enjoy it and have taken advanced training in it.

Most dentists will handle root canals on teeth with only one canal...like the incisors. However, some teeth (like the molars) can have 3-4 canals. That can become very complicated, and many dentists will send you to an endodontist for those. The endodontists have a lot of special equipment like surgical microscopes that allow them to better see what they are doing. Endodontists may cost a little more than a regular dentist.

In the end, it is your choice to choose between the general dentist and the endodontist, if the general dentist is willing to perform the procedure. Good luck with your procedure!

[CelticCrafter]

I recently had a lot of work done, including gum surgery and root canals.

It was all done by the same dentist in the same office.  The only thing he didn't do were routine fillings, but he has a general dentist in the office that does those.

I know myself, if I had been told that I had to go from specialist to specialist I wouldn't have had any of it done.

[Sameolmollysmama]

Thanks Silver Lining! The unknown is always scary, but it doesn't need to be

[tobes]

Endodontist

[noodleann]

This thread is fascinating reading. I've had 3 or 4 root canals, and they were all done by the dentist I had at the time. The idea of being referred out to someone else was never raised. The root canals have all been fine, knock wood.

Later this month I'm going to have a filling done by the dentist I started seeing a couple of years ago, and I'll ask him if he does root canals. I'd be perfectly happy to have him do one if I need it in the future, and trust him to tell me if it's beyond his skillset.

[lulu2]

My general dentist does not do root canals.  He sent me to an oral surgeon who specializes in them.  A different oral surgeon did my implants.  My periodontist treats my gums.

I remember having just one dentist.

[Shelbelle]

---

@lulu2 wrote:

My general dentist does not do root canals.  He sent me to an oral surgeon who specializes in them.  A different oral surgeon did my implants.  My endodontist treats my gums.

I remember having just one dentist.

---

Hi, Lu, I always thought an endodentist did root canals, and a periodentist treats gums and an oral surgeon pulls teeth.

[lulu2]

---

@Shelbelle wrote:

---

---

Hi, Lu, I always thought an endodentist did root canals, and a periodentist treats gums and an oral surgeon pulls teeth.

@Shelbelle

You are absolutely correct.  It is my periodontist who takes care of my gums.  I do not even have am endodontist!

I'm editing my previous post.

---