How will I know if a root canal will work for my tooth?
Endodontic/root cnal therapy has a 95% success rate, meaning that there is a 95% chance that the tooth will be fully healed and will cause no future problems. However, if your tooth has a lower chance to be saved or cannot be saved by a root canal, Dr. Mac will inform you at your consultation appointment or when a difficulty becomes evident during or after treatment.
Why doesn't my dentist perform the root canal?
Some general dentists do perform root canal procedures. However, if you are referred to CES, it means that your dentist feels that your case requires the attention of a specialist.
Will the treatment be painful?
The term "root canal" has often been associated with pain and discomfort, but in most cases, patients do not feel any discomfort during treatment. Patients usually compare getting a root canal to getting a cavity filled, and we often hear that the treatment was easier than expected!
Still, we understand the apprehension many patients feel before a root canal. Dr. mac will use local anesthetics around the tooth and test the tooth thoroughly so that the treatment will run as smoothly and painlessly as possible. We want to encourage our patients to express any concerns as we are here to help you and your dental health.
How long will my treatment take?
The length of treatment depends on the tooth being treated and whether it is a surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Typically, treatment will be 40-60 minutes. Feel free to contact our office for more information on your individual needs.
How many visits are required for this treatment?
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, and the individual case, sokme treamtnets will require more than one appointment. However, about 85% of the time, treatment will only require one appointment. In any case, Dr. Mac will encourage patients to return for a complimentary 6-month follow-up appointment during which he will take an x-ray picture of the tooth and make sure it is healing properly.
Are there any special instructions before my treatment?
In most cases, you can treat your root canal appointment like any other dental appointment. You may eat before the appointment, and you should plan to drive yourself to and from our office. If your case or other medical condition indicates that special instructions are needed for you, Dr. Mac will let you know before your treatment.
My tooth is feeling much better after I took the antibiotics. Do I still need treatment?
Although antibiotics are great to help calm the pain of an infection, they will not fully remove the source of infection. Therefore, even with antibiotics, root canal treatment is still needed to remove that source. Antibiotics will help calm the state of the tooth, so the good news is that the treatment and post-treatment healing will be much more pleasant if your pre-treatment discomfort is low.
What can I expect after my treatment?
In most cases, patients experience mild to no symptoms after treatment. Some may experience tenderness or sensitivity to biting. Dr. Mac will recommend that you chew on the opposite side for 3-4 days. Ibuprofen can help control any post-treatment discomfort. Depending on your individual case, you and Dr. Mac may also decide to use any alternate medication, such as antibiotics and/or steroids. You will be able to drive yourself home after yoru treamtent, and many patients resume their normal activities for that day.
We will also send you home with instruction on how to care for the area and a reminder for you to meet with your general dentist to schedule for restoration. We look forward to seeing for a short 6-month check-up visit.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency when the office is closed?
You will always be able to reach us in case of an emergency. After office hours, you can still call our office, which will direct you to Dr. Mac. We assure you that we will respond to your emergencies as soon as possible.
What should I do if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
To make our and your experience more effective, we ask you to call as soon as possible, or give a 48-hour notice, if you need to cancel or change your appointment. This way, we can adjust your appointment time quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, we do not accept appointment changes or cancellations via email, so be sure to call us!
What payment options do you provide?
We accept the following payment types:
- Cash
- Major credit cards (Visa, MC, Disc, AX)
- CareCredit (www.carecredit.com)