I haven’t seen a dentist in about 7 years when I was a teen like the title says due to financial constraints and I have a severely broken tooth to the point where it’s pretty much completely gone but still has pieces connected only at the root. I’ll need surgery on it. I have been on and off antibiotics to treat the infection that happens every so often. I can get to a dentist now. My question is do I just choose a dentist and make an appointment so they can check my teeth and then refer me to a specialist if needed or just find a specialist find and make an appointment. When I try to make an appointment they always ask are you getting a cleaning ? when I really need an examination to get the tooth situation fixed immediately . I don’t know what to say or how to start .