Understanding Endodontics and Why You Might Need One
What is endodontics?
Endodontics is the dental specialty where doctors called endodontists work on the inside of the tooth, specifically the nerve. This is where you hear about people getting root canals, often handled by a root canal specialist. Sometimes a general practitioner can perform root canals, but in complicated cases—such as when the roots are not straight or are bent—seeing a specialist is advisable.
If you have needs better handled by someone with advanced training, it becomes necessary to consult a specialist. For instance, if a part of the root needs to be amputated or if there's a need for special root canal surgery, a specialist is needed.
Additionally, if a previously done root canal becomes reinfected, a root canal specialist, who has an extra couple of years of dental school training in root canals, is often the best choice. A root canal specialist goes to dental school like a regular general dentist but then completes an additional two to three years of specialty training. This training allows them to handle complex or infected cases and perform advanced surgeries in root canal specialty.
In cases where part of the root needs to be removed, or if the procedure requires approaching the root canal from the bottom up, specialty care is required. Root canal specialists, or endodontists, also have advanced training in sedation or anesthesia. While they can't typically pull teeth, they will refer complex cases to an oral surgeon. The primary goal of an endodontist is to help you keep your tooth by performing a root canal unless it's absolutely necessary to extract it.
Most root canal specialty offices have a CT scan to take a three-dimensional X-ray of your teeth, which reveals more than a traditional two-dimensional X-ray. They also perform hot and cold tests and electric pulp testing to determine the vitality of the tooth nerve. The CT scan is a significant tool in endodontic care and is considered the standard of care.
How does insurance cover endodontic procedures?
Most dental insurance companies cover root canals, but the extent of coverage depends on your specific contract with the insurance provider.
To get clarity, it's best to contact your HR department at your employer's company. Insurance companies negotiate coverage details with your dental insurance provider, facilitated by the HR benefits representative from your company. Therefore, contacting your insurance company or speaking with your HR representative is the best way to understand your coverage.
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