Root canal therapy is one of the most common procedures performed in dentistry. This treatment can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for replacements.

The treatment consists of several basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case.  Often treatments can be completed in one visit but occasionally, multiple appointments may be required.  The number of treatments depends on the degree of infection/inflammation and degree of treatment difficulty. It is more important to do it the very best we can than to meet a specific time criteria.

There are, of course, no guarantees in medicine or dentistry. Root canal therapy has a very high degree of success. We will discuss with you the chances of success before any endodontic procedure to help you make an informed decision. If a root canal therapy is unsuccessful, there are still options available.

There are many situations that do not require Endodontic (root canal) therapy or where this may be one of several options.  For these reasons, a consultation visit is required in order that your relevant medical and dental history be reviewed and that your unique situation be considered in recommending appropriate treatment options. Exceptions are always made for emergency situations. If you are experiencing severe discomfort, please let us know immediately.

A consultation is the beginning process of every procedure. A clinical and radiographic examination (x-rays) is performed to determine if endodontic therapy is necessary, if there are special treatment considerations and if the tooth is restorable by your general dentist after the treatment is completed. Radiographs are displayed on patient monitors to explain each specific recommended treatment plan.  

Dr. Soo Chan will be happy to answer any of your questions, at this time, about the cause of your endodontic problem, the treatment sequence and the course of healing. Endodontic treatment often can be completed in one visit; however, some cases may require multiple appointments to complete the treatment.

We strive to expose our patients to the lowest amount of radiation necessary to complete a thorough and comprehensive exam.  Sometimes multiple radiographs are necessary to understand the complexity of your case.  Rest assured that we will only take a radiograph if it is required for Dr. Soo Chan to assess your tooth/teeth. 

We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way uncomfortable or painful. If treatment is needed, we will inject a small amount of anesthesia to gently numb a concentrated area of your mouth. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.

It is normally recommended that patients return to work the same say following treatment. Patients often experience some discomfort for three to five days following root canal therapy, especially when chewing. Cleaning diseased tissue from the canals may cause inflammation of the surrounding ligament and bone. Soreness may take additional time to go away if your tooth caused you discomfort prior to treatment. Certain medical conditions and medications will effect your post-operative healing processs. Please be throurough and complete when filling out our medical and pain history.

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your dentist. You should contact your dentist’s office for a follow-up appointment within a few weeks of your root canal treatment completion as a permanent restoration on the tooth may be required. Your dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth.

Yes, for some root canal treatments, we recommend that our patients return to our office 6 months to 1 year after the procedure is finished for a recall. Our office will call you to set an appointment when the recall date is due.