Your dentist has just conveyed the dreaded news: “You need a root canal. Here’s the name of the endodontist I recommend.”

Now what?

Endodontists receive at least two years of additional training after dental school. They are root canal specialists. Start by checking to be sure the endodontist is licensed in your state. Some endodontists become Diplomats of the American Board of Endodontics and are “board certified.” You can check to see if your endodontist is board certified by going to the American Board of Endondontics Web site.

Ask your endodontist if he uses a surgical microscope during treatment. These microscopes magnify the tooth approximately 20 times and greatly increase success rates. If your endodontist does not use a surgical microscope, find one who does.

Once you go an endodontist, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will perform a root canal. That is his business and it is very lucrative. But is it always necessary?

Ask your endodontist if he has considered the “ferrule effect”. Technically, this means that a root canal is unlikely to be successful if there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to protect the tooth from coming loose or fracturing after it has been prepared for a crown.

If your tooth fails the “ferrule effect” test, you might be better off with an extraction and an implant, which will likely outlive you.

Still not a walk in the park, but far better than enduring an unnecessary root canal.

A beautiful smile is a big part of our appearance. Cosmetic dentists promise us beautiful smiles (a “smile makeover”). But how do we know if they can deliver?

Any dentist can call herself a “cosmetic dentist.” Here are some questions that will help you select one that is qualified:

1. Have you had post-graduate training? If so,where? The cosmetic dentistry field has changed rapidly over the years. A dentist with no post-graduate training is not likely to be current with these advancements. Look for post graduate training in porcelain veneers from well known schools like LVI Global, the Pankey Institute and the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry.

2. What kind of veneers do you use? The best veneers are either felspathic (super thin) veneers, or CAD/CAM veneers, which can be milled and made by a computer. There are pluses and minuses of both. Your dentist should explain the differences to you.

3. Show me the… veneers! Your dentist should be able to show you ten or more before and after photographs or videos. She should be willing to give you the names of patients who have consented to be used as references. Be cautious. Some dentists use before and after pictures of models they did not work on. Verify that what you are seeing is work done on actual patients!