Dentist not "full service"

I've been going to a local dentist the last 5 years. The last time I complained about a molar that was bothering me. She x-rayed and did a visual assessment and couldn't find anything wrong. She suggested that I follow up with a dentist that did root canals. I was surprised that I would be referred to another dentist. I assumed all dentists could do all dental procedures. Are they becoming "specialists" like medical doctors?
 

NO... some dentists don't even do extractions, but send you to an oral surgeon. Not sure why, but I guess some things are specialties.. and some dentists do all the procedures.. it' depends I guess on their preference.
 
It is weird sometimes. Our dentist will extract teeth for adults but since my daughter is a teen she was referred out to an oral surgeon. I have to change dentists though. They redid their office and got rid of the happy gas. I'm sorry but tattoo's, childbirth even, no problem...but the dentist and I am a huge chicken.
 

My dentist will do root canals, unless an X-ray shows the roots are complicated. I had one molar he claimed had one more branch than normal.:confused: Then he sends you to a specialist with a fancy machine that guides him while he is working.
 
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My dentist sends me to the root canal specialist as well as an oral surgeon for an extractions as well as a peridontist who will do extractions if it is peridontally related. Most dentists these days know not to tackle complicated cases and if something goes very wrong they could be in trouble.
 
Plus... did you know there are dentists that specialize only in dentures and implants? Those are called Prosthadontists.. Fortunately mine pulls teeth..
 
Extracting teeth is an excruciating experience for some, but "nothing to it" for others. As a youngster, our family dentist did it all, and did it well. My first tooth pulled had been done as the result of an abscess in the roots. The bone had been softened so that a few twists and out it came, easy as pie! I had been terrified in advance of the event, age 19.

Years later, another molar needed to be yanked out, I had been living in Arizona by then for many years, had no dentist nor been to any since my 20s, took a friend's advice, went to his dentist, young guy, Oriental (no matter, but wonder where he learned the trade). He described his process in advance: he would slice the tooth in two, between the two roots below. That he did. An hour later, still struggling to remove roots, he declared I will have to go to an oral surgeon. My state of mind at that point was far from aggreable. I told him, B.S., drill them out! He did. Bad experience. imp
 
I guess I don't really know what my dentist doesn't do. So far I know he does root canals, bridges, crowns, cleanings, whitenings, etc. I don't know if he does implants, he may send his patients to a specialist for those, or maybe something intense like surgery to deal with serious gum recession or bone loss...not sure. Hopefully I'll never need any of those more serious procedures.
 
NO... some dentists don't even do extractions, but send you to an oral surgeon. Not sure why, but I guess some things are specialties.. and some dentists do all the procedures.. it' depends I guess on their preference.

Plus... did you know there are dentists that specialize only in dentures and implants? Those are called Prosthadontists.. Fortunately mine pulls teeth..

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The "Dentist" that did my dentures sent me to an oral surgeon for my extractions. He only does dentures. He does have about 5 rooms in his office that he has dental assistants doing cleanings. He only has office hours 4 days a week and goes fishing on Fridays..001.gif
 


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