I have a pretty bad cavity that I think will probably need a root canal. I don’t want to waste time or my insurance going to a regular dentist just to have them tell me to go somewhere else. Should i just got to my oral surgeon or what?
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#1 by Bianca on February 20, 2010 - 10:23 am
Generally you will need a referral to an oral surgeon, especially with insurance. I think they are considered a specialist. But no, you shouldn’t need an oral surgeon. Now, some dentists just don’t do root canals so all you need to do is call around to find a dentist with root canal experience. I settled on a dentist a couple of years ago and when I eventually needed a root canal, it turned out that he refuses to do them and sent me to an oral surgeon!! So, in short: it depends on your dentist. And don’t feel dumb calling offices and asking about the dentist’s specialties and level of experience with certain procedures. The receptionists are accustomed to those sorts of questions and expect them.
Good luck!
#2 by K9Resqer on February 20, 2010 - 2:51 pm
Depends. I’ve had two root canals and my general dentist sent me to a dental specialist.
He isn’t an oral surgeon, but he specializes in root canals. It can be a long procedure so rather than my general dentist spending 2-3 hours on one root canal, he has this guy do it. He put a temporary crown on it for me and a week later I went back to my dentist for a permanent crown.
My insurance covered 75% of the root canal and 90% of the crown.
#3 by susieQcl on February 20, 2010 - 9:06 pm
Most specialists do not take patients from the street, the general dentist diagnoses what is wrong and then refers to the appropriate specialist…..the general dentist is where you start, and yes depending on the tooth, will sometimes do root canals. It is NOT a waste of time if you just need a filling….let the dentist diagnose what is wrong.
#4 by Jason F on February 20, 2010 - 11:43 pm
Yes a general D.D.S. can do it. It is a common procedure. However, if your dentist thinks it will be difficult, they make refer you out to one.
#5 by that guy whos name i dont know on February 21, 2010 - 3:09 am
hahaha…oral surgeon.
#6 by Loves,An on February 21, 2010 - 9:07 am
general dentists can perform a root canal but make sure you trust your dentist.
#7 by Jennifer B on February 21, 2010 - 3:01 pm
My general dentist did a root canal on me. So I assume yours should be able to.
#8 by Prince Vegeta on February 21, 2010 - 10:01 pm
ask your dentist
my dentist did mine