Referrals

Your general dentist usually refers you to an endodontist when you have a complex dental issue, like a badly abscessed tooth or failed root canal. An endodontist specializes in providing this type of delicate treatment.

Generally, yes you do. However, some endodontists accept new patients without a referral. Asking your dentist to refer you to an endodontist is ideal — they have more dental health data to list in your referral.

Insurance plans and dental clinics have specific preferences, so contact them to ask about their endodontic referral policy. 

Important factors influence your endodontist referral:

• Your insurance may require a referral.
• You may have an advanced issue that only specialty endodontics procedures can treat.
• Your general dentist and endodontics specialist likely need to work together for coordinated care. 

Cascadia Dental has two periodontists and Dr. Faghih, our endodontist, on staff. If you need an endodontic procedure, Dr. Albather or Dr. Sengupta sends you directly to Dr. Faghih for treatment. We do everything within one office, so you’re not bouncing between clinics.

Your dentist often gives you a referral letter and contact information for an endodontist near you. Alternatively, they may send the referral to your endodontist virtually or over the phone. Your dentist typically refers you to an endodontist who accepts your insurance. 

You can also provide your general dentist with a referral form from the endodontist you want to visit. See our downloadable referral forms for printable documents that you can hand your dentist.

The referral letter should detail the specific dental issue you have, your personal information and any relevant medical history. 

We strongly recommend bringing or emailing us copies of your most recent X-rays when you visit Cascadia Dental. Depending on your dental condition, we may need to take more X-rays. 

Learn what to expect when you visit us at Cascadia Dental Specialists.

The following steps generally occur before, during and after your referral:

• Your dentist determines you need specialty endodontic care.
• Your dentist completes an endodontic referral letter, then gives it to you or sends it to an endodontist.
• You schedule an appointment with your endodontic specialist, either via your dentist or the endodontic clinic.
• Your endodontic clinic reviews your referral letter and verifies insurance/payment factors.
• You visit your endodontist, where they examine and treat you.
• You receive post-treatment care, while your endodontist coordinates care with your general dentist.

Contact us to learn more about Cascadia Dental’s referral process as a new patient.

Generally, yes they do. It depends on whether they’re a participating provider, nonparticipating provider or accepting but not in-network provider per your insurance plan.

The American Association of Endodontists has an informative dental insurance FAQ. You can see the insurance providers we work with at Cascadia Dental Specialists.

Your insurance coverage for endodontic procedures depends on your plan. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage.

Cascadia Dental is a preferred provider (a more extensive participating provider) for most major insurance plans. These include Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Delta Dental, Premera and United Healthcare. See Cascadia Dental’s insurance and payment options. 

This depends on your insurance plan, which may require preauthorization before undergoing endodontic treatment. In short, your insurance provider reviews and approves your recommended care before you receive it. 

Check with your insurance provider, and your dental clinic can help clarify whether you need preauthorization. Contact us anytime if you have questions about preauthorization and our endodontics procedures.

Endodontists specialize in treating the inside of your teeth: the pulp and roots. They strive to preserve your natural teeth, clear infection and relieve pain.

Learn more about endodontics procedures and what endodontists do here.

Root canals are the most common endodontic treatment. However, endodontists treat nearly any issue that affects the inside of your tooth.

We perform the following endodontics procedures at Cascadia Dental:

• Root canal treatment
• Root amputation
• Root-end resection (apicoectomy)
• Root canal retreatment (endodontic retreatment)
• Surgical root canal (endodontic surgery)

Your endodontist most often takes these steps, but the exact actions depend on the type of endodontic procedure you undergo:

• Examines your dental health and history, including X-rays
• Explains the procedure to you
• Administers anesthesia
• Removes infected pulp
• Cleans the inside of your tooth
• Fills and seals the tooth

Afterward, you may see your periodontist or general dentist for a temporary, then a permanent crown (common for root canals). Cascadia Dental Specialists’ endodontist, Dr. Faghih, performs the endodontic steps above. One of our periodontists, Dr. Albather or Dr. Sengupta, takes care of the crown if your procedure requires one.

Look for a board-certified endodontist who has extensive experience in the exact procedure you need. Reading online reviews and testimonials and asking your dentist for recommendations are also helpful.

Ideally, your endodontic specialist uses the latest technologies to precisely treat your tooth while decreasing infection and eliminating pain.

Ask your endodontist about whatever concerns you have! These are a few areas you may want to explore with them:

• Their experience
• The procedure you need and your care options
• Your expected outcome
• Any potential risks or complications
• Pre-care and aftercare steps

Being open with your endodontist about your dental health and preferences helps you feel much more confident in your care. Contact Cascadia Dental Specialists with any questions, including about your endodontic referral, and schedule an appointment for expert endodontic services.