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Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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My regular dentist (prosthodontist) recently discovered a new cavity below a crown (near the gum line). Because it involves drilling that might get too close to the nerve it is possible I might need a root canal and he would need to send me to a specialist for that procedure rather than doing it himself.
I had 2 root canals when I was in high school many years ago and my regular dentist performed them—no need to go to a specialist back then.
Is this the new norm OR is my current dentist not as good as I think he is ??
Not entirely sure, but it has been the norm in my experience. I'm not sure if years ago dentists trained for that specific procedure and not all of them do now, or if it's become more specialized.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
7,407 posts, read 6,537,276 times
Reputation: 6671
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunetunelover
Not entirely sure, but it has been the norm in my experience. I'm not sure if years ago dentists trained for that specific procedure and not all of them do now, or if it's become more specialized.
It may just depend on your dentist.
Just checked with Delta Dental and is the new norm if a endodontist does not work on site in the same practice….can only imagine this procedure ends up costing more which one would think insurance companies would fight tooth and nail (no pun intended).
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I have had 4 root canals, all done by my regular dentist. For one though, there turned out to be 3 roots and he couldn't find the 3rd, so sent me to an Endodontist. I hope you don't have to get one, but they are not as bad as an implant (pain or cost).
Just checked with Delta Dental and is the new norm if a endodontist does not work on site in the same practice…
….Oh well….hoping the procedure is not necessary.
My understanding as well. Times change. Sorry, I bet this procedure will be deemed necessary.
My dentist is a DDS. She has done root canals for me for teeth in the front. She has sent me to an endodontist for the two root canals I needed done for teeth farther back (wisdom and next one forward).
I'm guessing she farms the more difficult cases out to the specialists.
For my one titanium implant, the extraction and post implantation was farmed out to a periodontist, but the crown was installed by my primary care dentist.
Endodontists specialize in treating anything involving the pulp of the tooth. General dentistry doesn't specialize in it. Usually the general dentist will provide a diagnosis, and refer to an endo. In that way, the general dentist can help more patients with less involved things like "drill and fill" for cavities and seating crowns, simple extractions (for loose teeth), and so on. Root canal treatments can't be done in a half-hour visit, which means an endodontist will typically only see 4-5 patients in a day. A dentist might see up to 10 a day, depending on the needs of the patients.
I have had 10 root canals, all done by Endodontists. My first was a fiasco because the tooth was infected and needed 10 shots of Novocaine. The next one as uneventful and only needed one shot. The next was not great and the area hurt for a long time after. The next was done in Colombia at a government dental clinic and had to be redone because they f'd it up. Teh next 7 were also done in Colombia with a fantastic Endodontist who was superb and had all the latest equipment. He also save 2 teeth they wanted to extract here in Florida and replace with expensive implants. He was amazing, all the latest state of the art equipment, including sonar, laser, microscope. I paid 175/tooth vs 1200-1400 here in Florida.
My regular dentist (prosthodontist) recently discovered a new cavity below a crown (near the gum line). Because it involves drilling that might get too close to the nerve it is possible I might need a root canal and he would need to send me to a specialist for that procedure rather than doing it himself.
I had 2 root canals when I was in high school many years ago and my regular dentist performed them—no need to go to a specialist back then.
Is this the new norm OR is my current dentist not as good as I think he is ??
My dentist sent me across the street to a specialist when I needed a root canal done. I asked why and he said they could do it faster and better as they do them all the time. He also said they were better equipped to deal with something unexpected.
Not entirely sure, but it has been the norm in my experience. I'm not sure if years ago dentists trained for that specific procedure and not all of them do now, or if it's become more specialized.
It may just depend on your dentist.
I had root canals performed in 1974 and 1993 by my regular dentist.
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