Do I need an Endodontist?

[Katie7730]

A tooth that has had a couple of deep fillings in has recently started hurting me, and after a few sleepless nights I knew I had to surrender to call the dentist.
After about 12 years of entirely avoiding all dentists (except an emergency root canal) I finally found a private place where I had started to build up trust. I had needed a root canal previously but they used a specialist Endodontist who only came once a month and he completed this fairly uneventfully.
Fast forward to today, the dentist I had build up trust with has left and I had seen a different one for a recent check up. I needed an emergency appointment today, and saw yet another one.
I actually broke down as soon as I entered the room and started crying, he was very sympathetic and nice but after the X-rays had to break the news that my bottom molar does have an infection lower down into the root and does need a root canal.
I was quite surprised that he is going to do it, as they don’t use the Endodontist anymore. I was told by someone else that it’s better to use an Endodontist for molars, or should I give him a go? Pretty stressed out to be honest.

 

[Judythecat]

I'm not a dentist, but I would 100% be guided by what your dentist says. I had a lower molar root canal done by my own dentist, with absolutely no issues.

I later had another upper molar done by an endodontist, because my own dentist said while she was happy to have a go at it, the tooth had very long, curly roots and was close to my sinus. She thought a specialist was better placed to do it. I didn't want to have her start it, then find it too difficult and need to see someone else (basically having the treatment twice!) so I opted to go straight to the specialist. Maybe my own dentist would have been fine with it, but I asked her what she would do if it was her tooth, and she said she would be happier being referred on.

In your case it sounds like your own dentist is happy to do the treatment based on your exam and your x-rays, and confident he can do it successfully. So I would go with that, and be pleased it will be a lot cheaper! (Ultimately he could still refer you on if it needed it, but it sounds like that won't be the case.)

Good luck with the treatment!

 

[Katie7730]

Hi Judy. Thank you. Yes true he just seems so young I think qualified 3 years ago. I am probably overthinking everything in my head due to my anxiety ?

 

[letsconnect]

Hi Katie7730, I don't think you're overthinking things at all. Most dentists, when they need root canal treatment on a molar themselves, would opt for it to be done by an endodontist. So if you can afford it, why not...

Were you happy with the last endodontist you saw? If so and if you can remember his name, you could Google him and see if he still works nearby. Or you could let your new dentist know that you were happy with how things went the last time and that you'd like to see an endodontist again, and see if they can recommend anyone.

Also, if you're unsure about the new dentist you've been allocated to (and you'd prefer someone with more experience), there's nothing stopping you from researching other private dentists in your area ? .