Expert: Rafael Mosery,D.D.S. - 9/7/2007

Question
My dentist (Hmo) has advised that I seek the skills of an endodontist. I went
in to the office with a cracked molar/cavity and thought I would just  need a
filling. Now it seems as hugh He has no time and is just scooting me of for a
root canal? I am terrified of the dentist an dI don't know if I can make it
through a root canal. I have had no pain as of this writing ever in that tooth-
howevver I believe that fissures may have been caused by over zealoous
wisdom teeth that make these sorts of cavaties occur (Or at least that is what
I was told) How can I make sure that I am not just being pushed asside for an
unnecessary root canal. The x-ray tech said more than likely I could save the
tooth. She said I would only need a filling.. I am confused but mostly scared.

Answer
The only way to know what's going on is from the x ray and after excavating the decay.90% of the time we could tell from the xray the other 10% we might find out when we're actually excavating the tooth.If you trust the dentist go to the endodontist and save this tooth.If you don't trust the dentist,never go back there again.It's a matter of trust.My patient's trust me and I hold that trust above all.Get a second opinion if you like.Also,the endodontist wouldn't do the RCT if it wasn't indicated..again trust comes into the picture.