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Endodontist vs dentist with endo expertise

S

saralou35

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
182
So I’m still waiting for my Endodontist appointment? The referral is taking ages! I’ve actuslly found a diff dentist with an expertise in difficult root canals that is prob half the price of the top Endodontist! £900 vs £550 for reroot! what’s the best to do? The cheaper guy actually lectures Endodontics at a uni so he must be quite good right? Part of me still thinks this tooth is a goner but I can’t just pull it out without knowing what’s wrong!!
Also has anyone had a root canal tooth still sensative to heat?
 
Are there any websites where you can see reviews of either dentis/endodontist? My first thought would be to go with whoever has the most actual experience with difficult root canals, not just knowledge. Those can be two very different things. The dentist may have training and book knowledge, but has he performed as many procedures?
 
Are there any websites where you can see reviews of either dentis/endodontist? My first thought would be to go with whoever has the most actual experience with difficult root canals, not just knowledge. Those can be two very different things. The dentist may have training and book knowledge, but has he performed as many procedures?

Its so hard to find one where I live! There aren’t many reviews but there one about the Endodontist that makes me a little concerned! I think someone called him an interesting character (I don’t think it was in a good way) although I think he solely does root canals but only works one day a week! The other guy does normal dentistry but specialises in complex root canals referred from other dentists!? He also looks nicer in his pic (which makes me feel better though I know that’s crazy) I can just self refer to him for a small fee that comes off final cost! I think I’m so scared of spending a crazy amount of money and then find out it’s cracked! ? he also said he could poss do it through my new crown although he’d have to see X-rays etc first!? It’s so difficult making decisions! The pain is not as high intensity now and hasn’t changed much for a few weeks so I don’t feel as panicky! I’m kinda just going with the flow at the mo and waiting for maybe something to change to give me a clue what to do! It’s making me miserable though! I want my summer back ?
 
Its so hard to find one where I live! There aren’t many reviews but there one about the Endodontist that makes me a little concerned! I think someone called him an interesting character (I don’t think it was in a good way) although I think he solely does root canals but only works one day a week! The other guy does normal dentistry but specialises in complex root canals referred from other dentists!? He also looks nicer in his pic (which makes me feel better though I know that’s crazy) I can just self refer to him for a small fee that comes off final cost! I think I’m so scared of spending a crazy amount of money and then find out it’s cracked! ? he also said he could poss do it through my new crown although he’d have to see X-rays etc first!? It’s so difficult making decisions! The pain is not as high intensity now and hasn’t changed much for a few weeks so I don’t feel as panicky! I’m kinda just going with the flow at the mo and waiting for maybe something to change to give me a clue what to do! It’s making me miserable though! I want my summer back ?

Would the dentist that specializes in complex root canals do a consult with you, so you can get a feel for what he is like, and ask your questions? If he is more available, that would be a big draw for me. The oral surgeon I went to wasn't the friendliest, and I didn't get a good vibe from him...He didn't listen to half of what I said, then would ask me a question thay I had just given the answer to earlier. BUT he was really good at what he did, even though he was arrogant and not friendly.
 
Would the dentist that specializes in complex root canals do a consult with you, so you can get a feel for what he is like, and ask your questions? If he is more available, that would be a big draw for me. The oral surgeon I went to wasn't the friendliest, and I didn't get a good vibe from him...He didn't listen to half of what I said, then would ask me a question thay I had just given the answer to earlier. BUT he was really good at what he did, even though he was arrogant and not friendly.


Yes i I could go and see him for a very small fee! So I might do that next week if the endo referral doesn’t come through! I contacted his practise through FB and they have responded with all my questions immediately! I also had a little google of him and he does seem like a nice guy! I can normally tell from pictures! He’s very smiley looks about my age and looks kind if that makes sense! The endodontist looks older and makes me feel a bit scared! ? I know this seems ridiculous to base my choice on but it’s how my brain works! I’ll think about it over the next few days as there’s not much I can do till Monday now! (Endo only works Wednesdays)
 
Yes i I could go and see him for a very small fee! So I might do that next week if the endo referral doesn’t come through! I contacted his practise through FB and they have responded with all my questions immediately! I also had a little google of him and he does seem like a nice guy! I can normally tell from pictures! He’s very smiley looks about my age and looks kind if that makes sense! The endodontist looks older and makes me feel a bit scared! ? I know this seems ridiculous to base my choice on but it’s how my brain works! I’ll think about it over the next few days as there’s not much I can do till Monday now! (Endo only works Wednesdays)

Not crazy...your comfort level makes a big difference in your mindset about the whole thing. We only have two endodontists here within an hour and a half drive, so I know what you mean. None of the dentists in this area are qualified to do a root canal.
 
I would totally go with your gut "an interesting character". comment would make me a little curious about the endodontist and seems the dentist with endo experience has alot going for him. and personally I did a retreat with a dentist who just said he could do it now for less. and I just went for it because I was desparate and couldn't pay the high endo fee and didn't care for the endo either.. the dentist did just fine I haven't had any issues with that tooth and it didn't hurt either. Personally I feel way more comfortable with dentist vs speicalists that only see you so many times. and also as for my luck... all the specialists haven't turned out to have great personalities.. Im sure some do.. though I do have a friend of a friend whose a prosthodontist and he was a really nice down to earth guy when he met but didn't do work on me..
 
If they're doing advanced endo, they MUST have a microscope. So ask them... if one is, go with them, if both are then follow the excellent advice you've already had on this thread. If neither are, I'd be suspicious as hell...
 
If they're doing advanced endo, they MUST have a microscope. So ask them... if one is, go with them, if both are then follow the excellent advice you've already had on this thread. If neither are, I'd be suspicious as hell...


I think they both use microscopes Gordon! I think that was the trouble with original root canal she didn’t use a microscope and I have very fine canals! The latest X-ray (by an nhs dentist) shows three canals and it looks like the third one only half filled? (She did say she couldn’t get to the end as it was too fine? Also does #14 normally have more that 3 roots? Would an Endodontist be able to use any finer probes than the original dentist used 8yrs ago! She did the root canal over about three sittings and left antibiotics in it for about 5-6weeks before finally closing it! When it died it didn’t abcess it show on X-ray even after 5minths so I think that’s why it’s not showing now!
 
Finally have an Endodontist appt this week! It’s with the proper Endodontist as even though it more expensive it’s easier to get to and apparently he’s done over 13000 root canals so if he can’t figure out what’s wrong with this tooth I don’t have much hope! I’m getting so down about my facial pain and really hoping he can solve this as nothing is showing on X-ray it’s so frustrating! But been as pain started with this crown being placed it has to be this tooth right? I’m starting to doubt myself as it feels like teeth nearby are hurting and jaw too! ???
 
Finally have an Endodontist appt this week! It’s with the proper Endodontist as even though it more expensive it’s easier to get to and apparently he’s done over 13000 root canals so if he can’t figure out what’s wrong with this tooth I don’t have much hope! I’m getting so down about my facial pain and really hoping he can solve this as nothing is showing on X-ray it’s so frustrating! But been as pain started with this crown being placed it has to be this tooth right? I’m starting to doubt myself as it feels like teeth nearby are hurting and jaw too! ???

I am so glad you got in this week! Sounds like he is really experienced! Hopefully he can get you fixed up.
 
I am so glad you got in this week! Sounds like he is really experienced! Hopefully he can get you fixed up.

I hope so I feel like I’m going crazy! Just want my life back! I just wish something would show on X-ray
 
I hope so I feel like I’m going crazy! Just want my life back! I just wish something would show on X-ray

That is how I feel too! Dental pain just wears you down, mostly because of the fact that there are so many "maybes", and no clear diagnoses a lot of times.
 
That is how I feel too! Dental pain just wears you down, mostly because of the fact that there are so many "maybes", and no clear diagnoses a lot of times.


Im panicking in case I’ve got atypical toothache/facial pain which some people seem to get! ??? I suppose I know this tooth is def dead so there are issues with it! I tried some Amitriptyline from my go for the last few days but it’s made me even more crazy/anxious so I’ve stopped it (was a very low dose) as I don’t want to go down that route until I def know it’s not tooth! Did u get eyelid and facial twitching before your root canal!? I think I remember you saying so? How’s your root canal now? How do you know it’s failed? Is anything showing on your X-ray?
 
Im panicking in case I’ve got atypical toothache/facial pain which some people seem to get! ??? I suppose I know this tooth is def dead so there are issues with it! I tried some Amitriptyline from my go for the last few days but it’s made me even more crazy/anxious so I’ve stopped it (was a very low dose) as I don’t want to go down that route until I def know it’s not tooth! Did u get eyelid and facial twitching before your root canal!? I think I remember you saying so? How’s your root canal now? How do you know it’s failed? Is anything showing on your X-ray?

I did have twitching in my cheek, which drove me nuts. I wouldn't jump to nerve issues yet, though, as I would think that would have shown up earlier. Especially since your x ray did show part of a missed canal...that seems the best possible reason for the issues. Putting the crown on probably aggravated it into flaring up.
My x ray showed up as a perfect root canal. The endodontist told me that when it was still super tender and not showing any improvement after more than two weeks, it indicates failure. If it was even slightly better, she would have had me just wait it out. She said that sometimes the roots have small tiny roots that extend out at the ends, and those can harbor bacteria. That is why she wants to do the apicoectomy.
Right now, mine actually feels better after the wisdom tooth is out. The pressure that would come and go is gone. However, the tooth itself is still tender and I can't chew on it. There is no way I would be able to handle them taking off the temp crown. It hurts to press on the tooth with my tongue.
 
Oh I’m glad and of the pressure has gone! Mines the opposite it doesn’t hurt to chew but have all these weird sensations up face & twitchy eye (also had intermittently over last few yrs) and like a burning around the tooth that makes me want to clench it with my tongue! It’s always done the clenching with tongue thing on and off but now it feels continuous! I’m going to write it all down for Wednesday so I don’t sound like a mental case when I see the endo! ?
 
Oh I’m glad and of the pressure has gone! Mines the opposite it doesn’t hurt to chew but have all these weird sensations up face & twitchy eye (also had intermittently over last few yrs) and like a burning around the tooth that makes me want to clench it with my tongue! It’s always done the clenching with tongue thing on and off but now it feels continuous! I’m going to write it all down for Wednesday so I don’t sound like a mental case when I see the endo! ?

If he has done that many root canal, I am sure he has heard it all, so don't worry about sounding mental. I had that pressure pain feeling in between the two root canal appointments, when therr was still bacteria present, so it does sound like the one unfinished canal may be the issue.

I have been fighting nonstop sinus infections ever since my root canal, and after this wisdom tooth surgery I have another one. They cause so much pressure that I can't tell if it is the tooth hurting or the sinus pressure. I haven't had sinus issues since I was a kid and had my wisdom teeth out, so I know it is related to my teeth.
 
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