What makes the microscope so important?
Our powerful microscopes are the central instrument to apply our specialized skills so that a proper diagnosis can be made and treatment can be performed at the highest level. The microscope maximizes our ability to find all of the canals, remove all the pulp (nerve) tissue and infection from the tooth. We use the most powerful surgical operating microscopes available 100% of the time throughout treatment.
Can you complete my treatment in one-visit?
We will recommend the number of visits necessary for your treatment based on maximizing success. One-visit treatment is possible in some situations. Often two or more visits are necessary to achieve the quality that is our standard. Quality in endodontics takes time, so we ask that to become a patient of ours you allow us to use our experience and professional judgment to determine what is best for you.
Will the treatment be painful?
We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way painful. Many of our patients fall asleep during treatment. If treatment is needed, we will inject a small amount of anesthesia to gently numb a concentrated area of your mouth. We perform special techniques for gently delivering anesthesia for this type of procedure. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.
Why did my doctor refer me to an out-of-network specialist?
Your doctor has referred you to our specialists for evaluation because we are thorough, gentle and honest in diagnosing your problem and in recommending treatment. This approach will prevent unnecessary treatment and cost to you. Patients that we evaluate often do not require endodontic treatment. If treatment is required, you will clearly understand why, as we utilize several tools to communicate with you about your condition.
Your doctor has referred you to our state-of-the-art endodontic specialty practice because we put the quality of our care first. Scientific studies have stated the success of root canal treatment ranges between 40-95%. That is a huge range! Success is directly related to how the treatment is performed. Our goal is to consistently practice at the highest level to maximize the likelihood for long-term success. Our practice has been uniquely designed around utilizing the most powerful surgical operating microscopes for both the doctor and assistant to facilitate treating the entire root canal system.
Your dentist's referral to our specialty practice clearly shows their desire to provide you with the highest quality treatment available.
Like most things, quality endodontic treatment cannot be rushed. We will provide an estimate of the time and appointments necessary for treatment, and the fees involved.
Do you take my insurance or accept payment plans?
You are fortunate to have dental benefits. Many of our patients do not. We are in-network providers for Delta Dental PPO and United Concordia PPO. We are happy to fill out your forms for you for submission regardless of what insurance you have. We promise to help you obtain every possible benefit from your insurance company.
If you are interested in making payments, we do request that you contact one of our financing companies to assist with the cost of treatment. The most popular and widely used option is CareCredit (www.carecredit.com). CareCredit provides a variety of financing options, including a 0% interest plan.
Will I need to return to your office for follow-ups after the procedure is finished?
Yes, for most root canal treatments, we recommend that patients return to the office 1 year after the procedure was finished. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for a recall appointment.
What is the best choice: a root canal or dental implant?
Saving your natural tooth should always be your first choice when dental care is needed. Nothing, not even the most advanced bridges and implants, can truly replace your natural tooth. If your dentist recommends extracting your tooth, ask if it can be saved with an endodontic procedure, also known as root canal treatment. Endodontic treatment removes the injured pulp (soft inner tissue) of your tooth and fills and seals the space. Your tooth is then restored and can function just like any other tooth for the rest of your life, ensuring comfortable chewing and a natural appearance.
If your tooth cannot be saved - and some cannot - you may consider replacements such as a bridge or dental implant. Your options may depend upon the condition of surrounding teeth and bone structure. Dental implant procedures can be complex, costly and they often require several visits and up to a year of healing before the procedure can be completed.
The goal of root canal therapy is to preserve your natural teeth, where as implants are more geared toward replacing missing teeth or replacing teeth which are not amenable to root canal therapy.
Having root canal therapy does not prevent you from having implant therapy if needed in the future; however, implant therapy does preclude you from any procedure that would maintain your natural tooth.
