Click on a question below to go to the answer:

• What are the parts of my teeth?
• Why do I need a root canal?
• Why do I need to see a specialist for my treatment?
• Does a root canal hurt?
• Will my insurance pay for this?
• How Long will my appointment take?
• Do I need to come in twice?
• What do I need to do after my procedure?
• Can't I just pull the tooth?
• I'm having problems with a tooth after a procedure, what now?
• Why come to our office?
  
  

Why do I need a root canal? If your general dentist is telling you that you may need a root canal, it is because he or she feels that having a root canal may be the best chance at saving your tooth. Even if your tooth doesn't hurt now, your general dentist may believe there is a problem. The best thing to do is to get it checked out by any Endodontist before the pain starts. <go to top>

Why do I need to see a specialist for my treatment? Endodontists attend two additional years of schooling than general dentists do. These extra years of training help them to handle the tiny passageways of the tooth's root and all the problems associated with the pulp of a tooth. These procedures are all they do. Therefore, we spend all day, every day, looking at situations just like yours, and have the best knowledge of how best to save your tooth, and the best chance of actually doing it. Many problems can arise from improper root canal procedures and it's important to know you have an expert on your side. <go to top>

Is a root canal going to hurt? Most people believe that root canals cause pain. In very rare occasions some problems may occur, however, technology and experience have made having a root canal a fairly painless experience. In fact, it is much like having a filling put in! Most patients leave our office after a root canal and within a few hours feel less pain than when they came in, and that is a wonderful feeling when you're having a toothache! <go to top>

Will my insurance pay for this procedure? Ultimately, this is a question you may want to ask your insurance provider. Some insurance companies pay for a portion of the procedure and some may have different policies. Our office staff can attempt to provide you with an answer to this question based on their experience with your insurance provider, however, if you are concerned about payment, the best course of action is to call your insurance company before any procedures are done. <go to top>

How long will the appointment take? Most endodontic procedures take about an hour, however, there are occasions where we may find that more time is necessary to do the job properly. Therefore, please remember, that if your appointment takes more time, it is because we are worried about giving you the highest quality of care possible. <go to top>

Do I need to come in a second time? Obviously if we have you in for an evaluation, we'll want you to come back for the procedure, but most endodontic procedures are a one-visit stop in our office. We will then have you follow up with your general dentist to finish off the tooth, and continue taking care of your teeth as normal. <go to top>

What do I need to do after my procedure? We'll give you specific instructions when you are here, but in the case of a root canal, you'll want to follow up with your general dentist in about 3-4 weeks. We put a temporary filling into your tooth and your general dentist will fill the tooth permanently and fit you for a crown. This process is very simple and not at all something to be concerned about, but it should be done in order to ensure the best possible health of your tooth. <go to top>

Can't I just have the tooth pulled? You can. Extractions are always an option, however your natural tooth is always going to work better for you than something we can fabricate. Saving your natural tooth is often times less expensive than having a tooth extracted and replaced with something false, and in the end, it will feel and look better than a false one too. We feel, as will your general dentist, that extraction should be reserved only for extreme cases. <go to top>

I'm having problems after a procedure, now what? That is unfortunate, problems are very rare, but the do happen. The best thing you can do is to call us. We can't try to cover every possible problem on this web site, and if you've been in and are still having difficulty, then we want to know so we can help you. Contact us and we'll help! <go to top>

Why should I come to your office? We really do care about you! We have teeth too and know how much a toothache can affect your entire life. We are genuinely concerned about fixing that problem for you, and do it the best way we know how. We use the best technology available from digital X-rays to microscopes to gather the best information possible. We even have a certified doctor for IV sedation for our patients who are especially nervous. Hey, we understand this type of thing can be stressful! But we'll help you through it and get you back into your normal routine as fast as possible. <go to top>