At Elk Grove Endodontics, we focus our efforts toward the well-being and comfort of our patients. Whether it is the friendly staff members or the state-of-the-art facility, our patients know that they are our top priorities.
What To Expect At Your Appointment
Each patient will receive a thorough examination with the help of digital radiographs and the surgical operating microscope. Following the examination, a detailed explanation of treatment options will be presented to the patient. Any question that the patient has will be answered. The advantages and disadvantages of each option are also discussed at this time.
If root canal therapy is indicated, patient is numbed with local anesthetics. Bacteria and dead nerve tissues within the canal system are removed and the canal system is sealed with a filling material. Once root canal therapy is completed in one to two appointments, patient is instructed to return to his/her general dentist for the necessary permanent restoration.
Current research data appears to show that root canal therapy success rate is around 90%. In a limited numbers of root canal treated teeth, an additional surgical procedure may be needed. Surgical interventions are often used to remove a separated file or a blocked root tip.
After The Completion Of the Root Canal Therapy
Patients are reminded to avoid chewing on the treated tooth for 1 week after treatment. It is normal for the tooth to be sore. By the 2nd week, the tooth should be relatively comfortable to chewing on soft food. Patients can take over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen or Tylenol to help with post-treatment pain. In the event that patients are experiencing severe pain or swellings, the on call doctor can be reached after normal working hours.
Patients With Dental Anxiety
For those patients who exhibit moderate to severe fear of the root canal procedure, we offer several solutions. Prior to the dental appointment, a calming medication can be prescribed to smoothen and to alleviate one's fears. In cases where patients have extreme dental phobia, a dental anesthesiologist will be employed to perform intravenous sedation so that patients are asleep during their procedures. If you want to find out more about these options, please inform our staff when you scheduled your appointment.
Our Facility
Each treatment room is equipped with a surgical operating microscope. This allows us to view the canal system under high magnification and to detect anatomical anomalies unseen by the naked eye. To lessen patients' exposure to radiation, digital radiographs are utilized during treatment. We adhere to strict guidelines of infection control set forth by the CDC and OSHA. Our sterilization equipments are continuely tested to ensure that they are functioning effectively.