How will I know if a root canal will work for my tooth?

Endodontic or root canal therapy boasts an impressive success rate of 95%, indicating a strong likelihood that the tooth will experience complete healing and remain free from any subsequent issues. Nevertheless, in situations where a tooth's potential for salvation is diminished or where a root canal procedure is unable to offer a viable solution, Dr. Mac will provide this information during your consultation appointment. Additionally, if challenges arise either during or after treatment, you can expect Dr. Mac to promptly communicate any pertinent difficulties related to the tooth's prognosis.

Why doesn't my dentist perform the root canal?

While certain general dentists do have the capability to perform root canal procedures, being referred to CES signifies that your dentist deems your case necessitates the expertise of a specialist.

Will the treatment be painful?

The term "root canal" has frequently been linked with pain and unease, though it's important to note that in the majority of cases, patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Patients often draw a parallel between undergoing a root canal and receiving a routine cavity filling, and it's not uncommon for them to report that the treatment is more manageable than initially anticipated.

Nonetheless, we acknowledge the apprehension that many patients may harbor prior to undergoing a root canal procedure. Dr. Mac's approach involves the application of local anesthetics around the tooth and a comprehensive assessment of the tooth's condition to ensure a seamless and virtually painless treatment process. Our utmost priority is to foster an environment where patients feel comfortable communicating their concerns, as we are wholly dedicated to assisting you in achieving optimal dental health.

How long will my treatment take?

The duration of treatment varies based on the specific tooth being addressed and whether the procedure is surgical or nonsurgical in nature. Generally, the treatment duration ranges between 40 to 60 minutes. For personalized information tailored to your unique requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to provide you with further details and address any inquiries you may have.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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!

Yes, we welcome all referrals! In fact, we view them as the highest possible compliment!

We accept the following payment types:

• Cash
• Major credit cards (Visa, MC, Disc, AX)
• CareCredit (www.carecredit.com)