Root canal with endodontist experience

[american_mama]

My husband got scheduled earlier this week for an urgent root canal with an endodontist, which will happen on Monday. I have one basic question that affects some significant scheduling on Monday, and I find out both the referring dentist and the endodontist are closed today, so i can't ask them. So, to BBB.

My simple question is will my husband need a ride there and back, such as if he was put under anesthesia? The root canal is from an infected wisdom tooth with an abscess right under his sinus. The general dentist said it was beyond what he felt comfortable doing, and that he needed to be seen quickly by an endodontist, if that helps anyone ascertain what the treatment will be like.

To me, that sounds like he'll be put under, but what do I know. I had to look up what an endodontist is (I first tried entodontist).

My more complex question is cost. We have dental insurance, average to slightly better than average insurance. But DH thinks this will cost $1,800 out of pocket. He has had no other dental expenses this year, and the insurance is supposedly based on individual costs, not our family costs. Does that sound right? If so, wow, what do people do who can't pay? $1,800 that I didn't expect two days ago isn't easy for us. Plus, DH needs a new dental bridge, which he says is another $1,000 out of pocket.

[Mikey0709]

Many root canals here... unfortunately. Never been put under. Honestly sounds pretty routine, my last one was same thing and it went fast and easy. I prefer an endodontist - root canal is more their specialty.... unlike a regular dentist who may just do it once in awhile.

Is it infected, did they start him on antibiotics immediately? Is he is pain? I've had an endodontist refuse to work until swelling goes down and infection calms.

I have BAD dental insurance - - and my out of pocket is usually around $800-900 total cost.

In our area I think a root canal can run $500-900. The BIGGER expense is the crown needed to cover the tooth after, which he'll probably return back to his regular dentist for. that CAN BE a few week process depending on how modern they are.... some dentists can get crowns same day, others take a mold and get the crown back in 2-3 weeks (cheaper option - my area around $1,000 for a molar crown).

If you can't afford it - plan B is usually that you'll lose the tooth... which i would try to avoid at all costs.

[candaceb]

I agree with everything that Mikey said, including the fact that root canals are much better when done by endodontists. IME, it took a lot less time.
If you can't pay, many dentists/specialists have financing plans, some with 0% interest. I had to replace a crown during a time when my DH was mostly unemployed and they put me on a $100/month plan until it was paid off.

I have never had anyone drive me to or from a root canal - it's just a local numbing anesthetic like getting a filling.

[Smillow]

I just had my first root canal about a month ago. I had to have 2 appointments and was able to drive myself no problem. My tooth's nerve had died in an excruciating process but had calmed down by the time I was able to get an appointment with the endodontist. It was $1000 with out any insurance. That was the most painful part. The actually work was just tedious.

[american_mama]

Thanks. Three out of three consistent responses. Hopefully, my DH misunderstood the costs. He doesn't usually deal with dental insurance and is not a detail guy, so it's possible.

[erosenst]

I've had 10 root canals. (Genetically had teeth.). Never had any problem driving to or from.

Definitely agree on using endodontist. My dental insurance is great (relatively) and I usually have to pay 50% out of pocket. Good endos are usually $1k ish. Guessing $1800 includes the crown too.

Make sure to take Advil when appointment starts and fill prescription for pain meds. I rarely need them but have for a couple.

They really aren't as bad as you hear if done right. I've often gone to work after. While not 100 % I'm certainly functional.

Good luck to him.


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[cuca_]

I agree that they should not put him under and he should be able to drive himself home. I recently paid closer to $2k for a root canal, so he might be right about the cost. I would be surprised if the price included the crown. IME, endos don't do crowns, you have to get the crown from a general dentist or prosthodontist.


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[smilequeen]

He is unlikely to be put under. If that was the plan, he would have been given instructions ahead of time to have a driver, fasting instructions, etc. They wouldn't just schedule someone for sedation without pre op instructions. The price sounds correct for an endodontist and a molar root canal.

[PZMommy]

I was sedated for mine, but I purposely sought out a dentist that uses sedation because I had an awful experience getting a root canal the first time, and this time it was my original root canal being redone. I was given strict instructions prior about not eating, needing a driver, etc.

As for the cost, it could be that price. Crowns are insanely expensive.

[Kestrel]

I was given the choice of be sedated or not. Since I, also, have chronically bad teeth, I just told them to do the nerve block (a numbing that covers a lot of area; in this case from the top of my ear to under my jaw, and about 6 inches forward and back.) It did take a long time - I was in the office nearly two hours in total. However, I was able to drive myself both ways without any issues, drank a Costco smoothie while waiting for prescriptions to be filled, and finished my day ache-y but fairly comfortable. If you've ever had a crown, it's a similar though more complex feeling.
As for cost, here in Washington state I paid about $1400 for the root cannel, and then the crown on top on that price. However, it being so close to the end of the year, you might ask the dentist if you can do the crown after new year's, if that helps with your cost to pay for them in different calendar years. The fix from my Endo lasted for the six weeks before I got my crown on - not on purpose, that's just how it worked out in the timing - but I assume my dentist would have wanted to see me sooner if it was an issue to wait that long, wasn't even mentioned.

[ray7694]

My root canal was like an easy filing and went to work after. I definitely did not pay that much with insurance

[ray7694]

My root canal was like an easy filing and went to work after. I definitely did not pay that much with insurance