What to Expect on your Visit
Thank you for choosing us for your endodontic care - You will find the highest standard of professional care in a friendly, caring, and comfortable environment
Your Office Visit
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT:
If your dentist believes you need endodontic therapy, they may have referred you to our office. If you don’t already have an appointment, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to get you scheduled. Your initial appointment will consist of a consultation explaining your diagnosis and treatment options. Occasionally, treatment can be done the same day as the consultation. However, a complex medical history or treatment plan will require an evaluation and a second appointment to provide treatment on another day.
PREPARATION:
Our care team will give you instructions on what to do before your appointment.
You will most likely be advised to do the following:
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Take your regular medication as prescribed by your doctor including antibiotics and other medications
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Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages from 12 hours before your procedure to 72 hours after
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Avoid chewy, hard or sticky foods immediately before and for a few days after your procedure.
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Please eat a full meal
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Bring your referral slip
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Bring a list of medications you are currently taking
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Bring your medical or dental insurance. This will save time and allow us to help you process any claims.
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If you prefer to do so, you can fill out our registration form below and bring it in with you.
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Only local anesthesia will be used during the procedure and it will be safe to drive home and return to work after treatment. If you are taking prescribed anti-anxiety medication, you are required to have a designated driver to take you to and from your appointment. Please continue all medications (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) as recommended by your physician. If you have been advised to take antibiotic premedication by your physician prior to dental treatment, please do so. If you have a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.
DURING TREATMENT:
Upon entering the treatment room, you’ll be seated in a comfortable chair. Before we do anything, we will talk with you to see how you’re feeling and answer any questions you may have.
Next, we will perform a comprehensive examination of the infected tooth and most likely take a few painless digital X-rays. Once we review the results, we will discuss them with you and go over your treatment options and the risks and benefits of each so that you can make an informed decision. In most cases if you decide to receive root canal treatment, one treatment is all that is needed for any given tooth. However, on rare occasions, retreatment or an apicoectomy may be necessary to save the tooth.
SCHEDULING
We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, please let us know. We do have times set aside for emergencies. Please arrive on time and honor your scheduled visit. We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. To avoid the $75 cancellation fee, please notify us in advance of your need to change a scheduled appointment.
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Please call us at 808-218-6650 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
IMPORTANT
A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY ALL PATIENTS UNDER 18 DURING THEIR VISITS.
PLEASE ALERT THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAY BE OF CONCERN PRIOR TO SURGERY (I.E. DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ARTIFICIAL HEART VALVES AND JOINTS, RHEUMATIC FEVER, ETC.) OR IF YOU ARE ON ANY MEDICATION (I.E. HEART MEDICATIONS, ASPIRIN, ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY, ETC.) OR REQUIRE MEDICATION PRIOR TO DENTAL CLEANINGS (I.E ANTIBIOTICS, FOR PRE-MED.)
We will make your treatment as comfortable as possible. While your root canal therapy is being completed, enjoy watching a movie with our movie goggles. If you wish, you can to bring your own music and headphones. The dental office can get cold - we'll provide a warm blanket for you or come dressed in layers.
AFTER TREATMENT:
Depending on the stage of infection, your tooth may be sore after treatment. This is completely normal and we will give you specific instructions to help manage this discomfort. A small minority of patients experience swelling in the treated area. If this happens, please call our office immediately.
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We recommend a diet of soft foods for the first few days after your root canal therapy and to avoid eating on the side of treatment. The soreness should go away in a week or so. While the tooth may feel different from your other teeth for a couple of weeks, it should feel completely normal after approximately one month.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and the previous condition of your tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Do not chew food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective permanent restoration provided by your restorative dentist. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
FOLLOW UP:
Approximately six months after your treatment, you may be contacted to schedule a follow-up visit at our office. During this visit, we’ll examine the tooth to make sure it’s healing properly. Continuing follow-up visits may be scheduled every six months for up to two years until the tooth is completely healed. If your tooth presents with discomfort prior to any scheduled appointments, please call our office for an earlier appointment.