I am not asking for medical advice. How can one go about getting a second opinion from another dentist? We need an unbiased opinion if a root canal is really necessary. It sounds extreme when our doctor’s secretarial staff instantly jumped to recommending a specialist for a root canal INSTEAD of inviting the patient back to have the doctor look at his work and see the whole situation.
Is there such a thing as an unbiased 2nd opinion?
I should add I am optimistic there is a factual answer based on the collective wisdom of the SD. If the Moderator feels otherwise, my apologies. Feel free to move elsewhere.
Is there a reason you can’t simply go to another dentist?
I have had medical doctors give me a diagnosis, and tell me I am free to get a second opinion, and then suggested a specialist I could consult. But you’re free to look up any specialist in the yellow pages, if you suspect there is any collusion with the one suggested.
One issue to be aware of is that while there may be a factual answer to your question (& Post #3 sounds like it might be the ticket) there may not be a factual answer to the question of whether or not you need a root canal.
Fact is that dental science has not advanced all that much in decades, and assessments by dentists are frequently more of an art than a science.
I don’t have any cites offhand, but this was the gist of a presentation I once attended by the head of MetLife’s dental practice; it was also the subject of a famous Reader’s Digest expose that you can probably find online.
What is the problem with simply calling another dentist and making an appointment?
I’m not sure I quite understand OP’s situation, but to address one aspect: it is a good idea to go to a root canal specialist if there is one available in your area and you need it done. There are some dentists who do nothing but root canals. The consequences of a mistake, leaving a bit of tissue in there that gets infected, can be nasty and painful. Even my ex-wife, who is an excellent dentist, sent me to a specialist and told me it was worth paying for it when I needed a root canal.
I’d be inclined to call your dentist’s office and discuss this. There may be a sound reason why this recommendation was made, based on previous observations, and if so they’re saving you from paying for an office visit that’s not really necessary. Ask them for an explanation.
Of course. Do you really think every dentist in town is in cahoots and conspiring against you?
Just make an appointment with another dentist.
Endodontists specialize in root canals. It’s perfectly normal for a dentist to refer you to one for a root canal.
I recently went to my dentist and he referred me to an endodontist to do a root canal. The latter spent an hour trying to do a root canal, and then determined that the tooth was cracked all the way down and he couldn’t do it. He sent me back to my regular dentist who pulled it that same day. I had had an implant on the other side last year (done by the regular dentist), but he said that wouldn’t work on this spot due to lack of bone and it being too close to my sinuses. He said, “You won’t miss that tooth,” and I haven’t.
Not sure what your “root” question is? Hehe.
So… you went to the dentist, who tried something, which didn’t work, and you’ve now been referred to a specialist? The specialist (presumably an endodontist) will evaluate you before performing a root canal. He/she’s not just going to dive in and start cutting because your dentist said so. In other words, you’ll get a second opinion.
Anecdotal, but I second this. My dentist sent me out for a root canal. The endodontist checked my teeth and sent me away saying that I didn’t need a root canal.
BTW, this second opinion cost me $150. I don’t think many dentists will look at your teeth without getting paid for it.
Second opinions may not be covered by Dental Insurance.
Getting referred to a specialist should be covered. Delta Dental paid for my visits to a periodontist. I had a small area that healed after he pulled the tooth and scraped the gum. He packed it with antibiotics too.
I hated losing the tooth but the periodontist strongly recommended it.
I got an implant later and Delta Dental paid half the costs.
You mean that they aren’t?
The problem is that there is a high chance they all cover for each other, and I will not get an unbiased, 2nd opinion.
Do not tell the second dentist who gave you the first opinion.
And if all dentists are to be mistrusted, why bother with a second opinion at all?
First, I contacted a clinic at a dental school. One of the best in the country. However, they will not comment on another doctor’s work. (You’d think if anyone could remain unbiased, they could. I guess they don’t want to get caught in the middle should things need to go to court.) Anyway, the best we could do…for those in the same boat…was go to a dentist a close friend trusts. This is one step better than simply picking a name from a hat. Turns out, there was a simple fix avoiding the root canal. We knew there HAD to be some middle ground before going to extremes. Very scary when you need help soon, and you don’t know where to turn.
But, tomorrow…the nation gets a root canal! 
Naturally, I would not mention the first dentist’s name. In hindsight, you may be correct had I objectively described the problem. The fear is, not knowing the options, most dentists may have given us the brush-off like our own dentist did. I may be biased from past experiences, but asking a surgeon for other options is like asking a car salesman if they sell bicycles. Are unnecessary root canals performed? It wouldn’t surprise me if many were. After all, who would be the wiser?
When one is in pain, it is hard to remain objective. You want solid answers and sound advice. It’s not so easy to go shopping around at such a time. When these things happen, you wish you had a dentist in the family you could call upon.
Sounds extreme, but when it comes down it to it…yes, indeed, many will protect their own. Perhaps they won’t comment or they won’t give you all the details on what they find. To overcome any shadow of doubt, if any doctor’s 2nd opinion is on the up-and-up, one must find someone they can believe in.
Perhaps the issue isn’t to get a second opinion, but becoming better at getting first opinions.
As a professional the dentist should be able to answer questions like ‘What are All the viable options?’, ‘Why do you recommend this one or aren’t recommending those?’, ‘What’s the best possible outcome, and how does the option you suggest compare?’, ‘Who does your choppers?’ etc.
And thinking hard about your own needs - what considerations make a difference to you - cost, timeliness, risk of British teeth, and making sure you ask the questions that give you info to address those.