Do I Need a Referral for Endodontic Treatment?

Endodontic treatment Georgetown, TX

Root canal treatment, or endodontic treatment, can be done by both a general dentist and an endodontist. As the name suggests, endodontists are specialist dentists that treat problems affecting the inner tooth. This makes them more than qualified to perform all sorts of procedures on the inner tooth, including a root canal.

And yet, many general dentists also perform root canals, which begs the question, when should a general dentist perform a root canal and when should you, as a patient, get a referral to see an endodontist?

The answer comes as we cover a few basics.

What is root canal treatment?

To put it simply, a root canal is a dental procedure that removes dead or dying tissue in the inner tooth, while keeping the outer tooth intact. The point of endodontic treatment is to treat a tooth that is too far gone for other kinds of treatment. A root canal allows a patient to keep the outer part of their tooth, as opposed to having the tooth extracted.

This is a good thing since the patient is still able to smile and chew with the treated tooth. The tooth also keeps the rest of the person's teeth from shifting, like they would if it were extracted. So a root canal is a great way for a person to avoid the problems that come with a missing tooth, including expensive tooth replacement treatments.

What are the signs that a patient needs endodontic treatment?

Although it can be painless and sometimes, hard to notice, a dead or dying tooth often comes with symptoms that are hard to miss, such as:

  • Tooth discoloration behind the enamel that ends up looking like a dark shadow in the tooth
  • Excruciating pain if the dead or dying tooth is because of an infection
  • If the dead tooth is caused by an infection, a person may notice a bad smell coming from the tooth
  • Pus coming out of the tooth due to infection

Anyone who notices these symptoms should see a dentist immediately. Based on their findings, the dentist will either treat the tooth themselves or refer the patient to a specialist.

When does a patient need a referral?

A general dentist may choose to perform a simple or routine root canal. This implies that there are situations that will need the intervention of a specialist. Situations like:

  • A general dentist that chooses to refer all endodontic treatments to an endodontist
  • A patient that needs a second root canal on the same tooth after the first root canal failed
  • A person with complicated tooth anatomy that needs treatment from a specialist. Complicated tooth anatomy is a common reason why root canals fail the first time around
  • An insurer that requires that patients get a referral before they see an endodontist

A skilled dentist will guide you through treatment for your problem tooth

The role of a dentist is to make sure their patients get the highest level of care. For this reason, they will treat what they can and call in a specialist for matters that require their expertise.

Call our Georgetown clinic to set up an appointment and get your problematic tooth treated, once and for all. Our endodontist has lots of experience performing root canals.

Let's get started…

Request an appointment here: https://www.healthysmilesgeorgetown.com or call Healthy Smiles Dentistry Georgetown at (512) 864-9010 for an appointment in our Georgetown office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Cosmetic Dental Services Options To Cover A Misshapened Tooth

Cosmetic dental services can help treat issues like misshapen teeth. The condition can be caused by health issues like congenital syphilis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Creveld syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Genetic factors can also cause it. Cosmetic dental services can be used to improve the shape of your tooth, regardless of the reason that it is abnormally…

Teeth Color Correction With Cosmetic Dental Services

Cosmetic dental services can help improve the color of your teeth. Teeth start white, but they pick up stains as a person's life goes on. Some of these stains come from the coloring agents in the foods and beverages that we consume, while habits like using tobacco products cause others.Teeth can also become discolored as…

Cosmetic Dental Services To Strengthen Teeth

Cosmetic dental services can be used to strengthen your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry focuses mainly on issues that address how teeth look, but certain issues, like tooth decay, also affect teeth structures. Dental cosmetics like crowns can be used to address such issues while restoring the appearance of your affected teeth.Here are a few of the…

Full Mouth Reconstruction For Smile Esthetic, Health, And Function

Full mouth reconstruction is the process in which a dentist helps their patient by reconstructing and/or replacing the patient's teeth. The dentist helps the patient determine exactly what work needs to be done to make their smile look nice and have overall better oral health. Although the process of having these procedures done can sometimes be…

Recent Posts

Cosmetic Dental Services Options To Cover A Misshapened Tooth

Cosmetic Dental Services Options To Cover A Misshapened Tooth

Cosmetic dental services can help treat issues like misshapen teeth. The condition can be caused by health issues like congenital syphilis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Creveld syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Genetic factors can also cause it. Cosmetic dental services can be used to improve the shape of your tooth, regardless of the reason that it is abnormally…

Teeth Color Correction With Cosmetic Dental Services

Teeth Color Correction With Cosmetic Dental Services

Cosmetic dental services can help improve the color of your teeth. Teeth start white, but they pick up stains as a person's life goes on. Some of these stains come from the coloring agents in the foods and beverages that we consume, while habits like using tobacco products cause others.Teeth can also become discolored as…