Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your consultation:
· Your referral slip and any X-rays if applicable.
· A list of medications you are presently taking.
· If you have a dental benefits plan, bring all necessary subscriber information required to access your policy.
IMPORTANT: No pain medication six hours before consultation.
IMPORTANT: Take all other prescription medications as normal.
IMPORTANT: A parent or legal guardian must accompany all patients under 18.
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to treatment (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.) or require medication prior to certain dental procedures (antibiotics for pre-medication).
It is advisable to bring a list of all the medications (over-the-counter and prescription) that you regularly/have taken within the past month. Once all forms are complete, an assistant will review and chart your chief complaint, referring dentist’s information and history of the tooth pain before taking x-rays of your teeth.
Once your first set of x-rays is complete, you will be greeted by the doctor, who will review your paperwork and evaluate symptoms prior to testing the tooth in question along with adjacent teeth. After the tests are complete, a diagnosis will be given to determine the best treatment care and prognosis. Possible post-treatment decisions such as a crown on the treated tooth will be addressed.
The doctor will make you aware of the benefits, options and risks involved in order for you to understand how endodontic treatment is a way of saving your tooth.
Before treatment begins, you will receive local anesthesia to numb any sensations you may feel during the procedure. If the procedure is unable to be completed within one visit, medicine may be placed inside the tooth between appointments.
Once your procedure is complete, more x-rays are taken to track the success of the treatment. You will be given post-operation instructions and told what to expect over the next few days.
Be sure to contact the office or the doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding your treatment. More detailed information regarding endodontic treatment and post-treatment care is available in the website.
FAQ’s
1. Why do I need a consultation prior to having my root canal treatment?
The consultation is an opportunity for you to meet our team and the doctor and for us to meet with you to establish your specific treatment needs and to consider all available options. The process includes a site specific examination, review of your health status, and gathering of all pertinent radiological and diagnostic studies. Once this information has been gathered, you will receive an accurate and individualized treatment plan including different treatment options, risks and benefits of each applicable option and specific treatment costs. The information gathered can then be communicated with your primary care dentist or physician if such is in your best interests and needed for collaborative care.
2. Can you provide me the cost of treatment over the phone prior to being seen and examined by the doctor?
Each and every patient has unique and individual needs for their often varied endodontic problems. The actual cost of each individual’s care to deal with those specific problems depends on the complexity of care which often relates to the patient’s systemic health, anatomy, and individual condition factors which can only be fully assessed after a consultation session. The process includes a site specific examination, review of your health status, and gathering of all pertinent radiological and diagnostic studies. Once this information has been gathered, you will receive an accurate and individualized treatment plan including different treatment options, risks and benefits of each applicable option and specific treatment costs. Your actual out-of-pocket costs can also vary and need to be estimated after the information has been gathered and compared to your anticipated dental benefits (“insurance”) coverage.