root canals?

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by 2000v6

I mean, I'm gonna get all of it done this week, it's just I was thinking if I do an appointment for a check up on tuesday then my dentist can also do the cavities on the bottom. And I was thinking that the next day, wednesday I could get the cavities on top done.

My reasoning is that my dentist has offered to do the canals done asap. But he isn't an endodontist. And, I'm hoping that it's not perio

you can find an endodontist by going to the American Association of Endodontists website. Everyone their would be an endodontists (specialist in the field)

Originally Posted by 2000v6

And I just looked in the mirror and the gums have definitely not receded. It may just be the way the way that they chipped. I mean, it is pretty severe, I guess

your x-ray is interesting. I don't see any bone loss, but it looks like you have a short crown:rot ratio. However, I think that is because the x-ray was taken at an oblique angle, making the roots appear shorter than they really are.

There are definitely some big pieces missing, because the damage on the tooth is always worse than can be seen on the x-ray. None of the teeth look like they have any periapical radiolucencies. It does appear that there may not be enough tooth structure to repair without a crown. I couldn't be certain that it would absolutely have to have endo without some vitality testing of the teeth. But, if you crown a tooth and it needs endo later down the road, you are probably looking at another crown, unless they can access through the crown. Difficult to impossible depending on the materials used in the crown.

Originally Posted by 2000v6

What's the usual treatment for perio anyway?

extraction? Because even if it was perio I could never agree to that, especially after having looked at dental sites that showed how extraction and implants were done

Also how do I go about asking my dentist that I want a referral to a endodontist? I mean yes, I will ask for one, but I don't want him to think that I don't want him to do the work at all. Just for the root canals, I want someone better

Let me come back to this... I want to look at that x-ray again

Originally Posted by 2000v6

Hey Apex, I'm wondering do you know what sort of abreviation an endodontist has? My dentist has a D.D.S. and I believe that that's a general dentist right?

They don't get any extra degree. They may have an M.S. (masters degree) or they may have initials that let you know they are board certified in endodontics.

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by 2000v6

That's the part where they are chipped. Originally, I thought that I just had a problem with the big one. And, I know that the one of the right needs the canal done. So I'm guessing that it's the middle one that can be saved

The one on the far right does look pretty close to the pulp chamber. The roots are pretty straight. It would be a simple endo procedure.

But, if you want to go to an endodontist, just tell your dentist that you would prefer to go to an endodontist for the root canals and come back to him for the restorative work. Just tell him you would feel less anxious if an endodontist was doing it. It's no big deal.

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

you can find an endodontist by going to the American Association of Endodontists website. Everyone their would be an endodontists (specialist in the field)



your x-ray is interesting. I don't see any bone loss, but it looks like you have a short crown:rot ratio. However, I think that is because the x-ray was taken at an oblique angle, making the roots appear shorter than they really are.

There are definitely some big pieces missing, because the damage on the tooth is always worse than can be seen on the x-ray. None of the teeth look like they have any periapical radiolucencies. It does appear that there may not be enough tooth structure to repair without a crown. I couldn't be certain that it would absolutely have to have endo without some vitality testing of the teeth. But, if you crown a tooth and it needs endo later down the road, you are probably looking at another crown, unless they can access through the crown. Difficult to impossible depending on the materials used in the crown.



Let me come back to this... I want to look at that x-ray again



They don't get any extra degree. They may have an M.S. (masters degree) or they may have initials that let you know they are board certified in endodontics.

I'm gonna go schedule a whole checkup tomorrow, and part of that I will want to get new x-rays of the whole mouth. After the checkup, I will post a new x-ray.

Now who would I go ask about the need for an endo or crown? I mean should I just go to any dentist and ask if I need a root canal or just a crown. Also, I honestly think that my dentist just cares about the money. I see him pull up in his m6 or sl63 amg all the time with gold jewelry on and when he does any work I always see him wearing his rolexes or omegas. And when I told him that I'd like to get a consensus from him, as well as a few other dentists and then I'd come back, he just says well you need two canals done, and one I can do without, bye. I mean it was 2 seconds and he was gone.

I'd like to go ask somebody who'd rather do their jobs because they want to help people then anything else.

I can let him do the crowns, but besides that I'd rather have someone else do the canals.

All of the endodontists are in the city, which I really don't feel like going. I'm going to call my insurance and explain the situation and see if they will cover a checkup, a visit to a few other dentists/endodontists and see which endodontist covers my insurance.

[2000v6]

And also, what if I explain to him that I'd prefer to have an endodontist and he says well actually I am one

And apex, should I get all three done at the same time or one at a time so day by day?

And if I'm not mistaken the pain may be starting to set in now, nothing bad yet though

[2000v6]

Apex, I was wondering if you knew if I were to go to an endo, would he/she have a better idea of which teeth need a root canal than the regular dentist?

Also the pain has died off.

[Apex Paul]

There is some amount of "opinion" involved in deciding if endodontic treatment is needed. Just today I saw a patient that had a root canal about two years ago (not sure when, I didn't do it), but has a pariapical lesion today on that tooth. I consulted with an endodontist and we agreed that his x-ray that I took today looked better than the x-ray I have of his tooth from 1 year ago. However, we think he should have it retreated because I am taking off his current crown so that I can replace it with a survey crown for a partial denture. Since the crown is going ot be off, we think he should have it done. I left it up to him to decide, because he could risk it and be fine. But, if it gets worse in time he will be getting the endo and another new crown to replace the one I am about to redo!

It certainly looks like you need at least one of those endo/crowned because of the amount of tooth structure that is gone. The others I would have to see in person myself.

By the way, if he were an endodontist, he most likely wouldn't be doing any general dentistry. Why would he waste his time fixing a filling for $120 when in the same amount of time he could be making $700 doing a root canal! There are enough general dentist referring patients to endo's to keep them busy full time doing root canals and apicoectomies, etc.

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

There is some amount of "opinion" involved in deciding if endodontic treatment is needed. Just today I saw a patient that had a root canal about two years ago (not sure when, I didn't do it), but has a pariapical lesion today on that tooth. I consulted with an endodontist and we agreed that his x-ray that I took today looked better than the x-ray I have of his tooth from 1 year ago. However, we think he should have it retreated because I am taking off his current crown so that I can replace it with a survey crown for a partial denture. Since the crown is going ot be off, we think he should have it done. I left it up to him to decide, because he could risk it and be fine. But, if it gets worse in time he will be getting the endo and another new crown to replace the one I am about to redo!

It certainly looks like you need at least one of those endo/crowned because of the amount of tooth structure that is gone. The others I would have to see in person myself.

By the way, if he were an endodontist, he most likely wouldn't be doing any general dentistry. Why would he waste his time fixing a filling for $120 when in the same amount of time he could be making $700 doing a root canal! There are enough general dentist referring patients to endo's to keep them busy full time doing root canals and apicoectomies, etc.

What's an apicoectomy? And, what is a periapical lesion if you don't mind me asking? Never heard of either.

Yeh, more than likely it's at least one that needs to get a canal or crown. The thing is that there is no pain whatsoever, I mean I do get it at like certain times for like 5 seconds but then it dies for the rest of the day. Right now I've scheduled an appointment for a checkup and to get my fillings done (at least two days, unfortunately my dentist sucks and doesn't like doing all the fillings in one day but I guess it's about the money). Tomorrow I'm going to get one of those referential things from my dentist's office to an endodontist and hopefully be able to schedule a consultation for wednesday/thursday and he'll be able to tell which of them really needs an endo. Also, do you think that it's possible that he will just say "oh all of them", in order to get more money?

And from what I understood when I called my insurance they will receive the x-rays from the endodontist (I think) and within two days they will have some other dentists look at my x-ray and decide how many root canals I really need.

Kind of sucks, I may not get it done until next week.

Also, if I have no pain do I really need to get the endo done on the ones that aren't close to the pulp chamber? I mean, can I just get those crowned?

What about cleaning when I'll go in for the checkup. Should I let them do it? Seeing the condition of those teeth, is it going to f*** them up even worse?

But do you guys really make that much? Now I'm going to need to invest in a dental office

[2000v6]

Also, Apex I was wondering if you knew if it's possible to get diamonds (not a grill) on my teeth

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by 2000v6

Also, Apex I was wondering if you knew if it's possible to get diamonds (not a grill) on my teeth

you can do whatever you want to do to them and a dentist is willing to do. I wouldn't do it, but I'm sure you can find someone who would.

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by 2000v6

What's an apicoectomy? And, what is a periapical lesion if you don't mind me asking? Never heard of either.

Apicoectomy is nothing you are going to need. Basicaly, cut a flap in your tissue, peel it back, cut a hole in the bone where the tip of the root should be, then remove the end of the root.

Periapical means "around the apex" or at the tip of the root. Lesion means sore, more or less. So, a sore at the tip of the root.

Originally Posted by 2000v6

Yeh, more than likely it's at least one that needs to get a canal or crown. The thing is that there is no pain whatsoever, I mean I do get it at like certain times for like 5 seconds but then it dies for the rest of the day. Right now I've scheduled an appointment for a checkup and to get my fillings done (at least two days, unfortunately my dentist sucks and doesn't like doing all the fillings in one day but I guess it's about the money). Tomorrow I'm going to get one of those referential things from my dentist's office to an endodontist and hopefully be able to schedule a consultation for wednesday/thursday and he'll be able to tell which of them really needs an endo. Also, do you think that it's possible that he will just say "oh all of them", in order to get more money?

And from what I understood when I called my insurance they will receive the x-rays from the endodontist (I think) and within two days they will have some other dentists look at my x-ray and decide how many root canals I really need.

Kind of sucks, I may not get it done until next week.

Also, if I have no pain do I really need to get the endo done on the ones that aren't close to the pulp chamber? I mean, can I just get those crowned?

That would be between you and the person doing the work. I am not there to check it out, so I can't really say.

Originally Posted by 2000v6

What about cleaning when I'll go in for the checkup. Should I let them do it? Seeing the condition of those teeth, is it going to f*** them up even worse?

But do you guys really make that much? Now I'm going to need to invest in a dental office

You should definitely get them cleaned if it has been more than a few months.

As for money, dentists make a decent living. The average guy that owns his own practice and has been around a couple of years takes home about $275K. The average dentist (including those that work for other people/corporations) makes about $178K/yr according to the last ADA news that said anything about salaries. It varies widely, depending on where in the USA, where in each State, rural/city, procedures they do and how well they can manage an office and their staff. I know guys that make less than $100K/yr and I know guys that take home ten times that.

I don't make a penny

[Apex Paul]

One other thing;

I was talking to an endodontist today about all of your questions and worrying about going to an endodontist for your RCT. He said the latest numbers that he remembered said that endodontists do about 10% of all root canals that are performed. That means general dentists do the other 90%.

Endodontists are specialists. They are trained to take care of difficult cases. I think with your situation you are spending money you don't need to spend. That is coming from a guy who makes nothing on the transaction, whichever you choose. Just an opinion.

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

One other thing;

I was talking to an endodontist today about all of your questions and worrying about going to an endodontist for your RCT. He said the latest numbers that he remembered said that endodontists do about 10% of all root canals that are performed. That means general dentists do the other 90%.

Endodontists are specialists. They are trained to take care of difficult cases. I think with your situation you are spending money you don't need to spend. That is coming from a guy who makes nothing on the transaction, whichever you choose. Just an opinion.

Can you explain that? The thing is that I called my insurance and they told me that there are only three endodontists that do root canals in my area, and they are all in the city (aka just manhattan, not the outer boroughs) and I really don't want to go to the city just to get a rct and then go back home. I'm probably going to have my dentist do them. Hopefully I'll be able to talk him down to one, at most two.

Hopefully I'll convince him to save the worst for last, that will really put me at ease

[2000v6]

Originally Posted by Apex Paul

Apicoectomy is nothing you are going to need. Basicaly, cut a flap in your tissue, peel it back, cut a hole in the bone where the tip of the root should be, then remove the end of the root.

Periapical means "around the apex" or at the tip of the root. Lesion means sore, more or less. So, a sore at the tip of the root.



That would be between you and the person doing the work. I am not there to check it out, so I can't really say.



You should definitely get them cleaned if it has been more than a few months.

As for money, dentists make a decent living. The average guy that owns his own practice and has been around a couple of years takes home about $275K. The average dentist (including those that work for other people/corporations) makes about $178K/yr according to the last ADA news that said anything about salaries. It varies widely, depending on where in the USA, where in each State, rural/city, procedures they do and how well they can manage an office and their staff. I know guys that make less than $100K/yr and I know guys that take home ten times that.

I don't make a penny

So if that's the case, how are you not making a penny? How can you afford a camaro?

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by 2000v6

So if that's the case, how are you not making a penny? How can you afford a camaro?

I'm not in a Camaro. I'm in a Viper, for now.