FAQ

• Referral sheet from your general dentist
• A list of all prescriptions, non-prescriptions, and herbal medications
• For those patients requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, please remember to pre-medicate prior to appointment.
• Dental insurance information; name and address of insurance company, and insured’s social security or ID, and group number.
• A minor (anyone under the age of 18) will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

It is normal for your tooth to be sore for the first few days after root canal therapy has been completed.  Initially, soft foods are recommended, as they will provide less discomfort during chewing.  The soreness may continue for a few weeks. It should gradually feel better as the time passes. You may take over the counter pain medications if needed to manage any discomfort. A combination of Ibuprofen (600 mg) along with Acetaminophen (500 mg) alleviates the post operative pain. If the over the counter pain medicine are not helping, please call our office. A very small percentage of patients (less than 5%) experience post-operative swelling in the area that was treated.  If this happens, please call our office immediately. For female patients, there may be an interaction between antibiotics and oral contraceptives.  If you are presently taking antibiotics or if our office has prescribed them, please use alternative means of birth control for your entire cycle that month. If you have any questions or concerns following your treatment, please do not hesitate to call our office and follow the prompts for assistance.

Yes. For the root canal treatment procedure, we use local anesthetics, similar to any other type of dental procedure, such as a crown or filling. We do have Nitrous Oxide available for your comfort, for an additional fee. If this is an option you are interested in, please feel free to let us know when you make your appointment.

We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is comfortable. Most of our patients comment that their experience was much more pleasant than expected and many of them fall asleep during their root canal treatment procedure. Prior to administering the local anesthetics, we use topical numbing gels. For most patients, the feeling of numbness resolves after a few hours.

In case of post-operative pain a combination of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) along with acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be sufficient. If you cannot take Ibuprofen, then acetaminophen (Tylenol) alone would be the medicine of choice. In certain instances, Dr. Roghani will prescribe an antibiotic, and/or possibly a medication for pain. We will provide you with written after care sheet and we will review the instructions for medications following to the procedure.

In case of post-operative pain a combination of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) along with acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be sufficient. If you cannot take Ibuprofen, then acetaminophen (Tylenol) alone would be the medicine of choice. In certain instances, Dr. Roghani will prescribe an antibiotic, and/or possibly a medication for pain. We will provide you with written after care sheet and we will review the instructions for medications following to the procedure.

You will be advised not chew or bite on the treated tooth since it will be susceptible to fracture until you have it restored by your dentist. Our office will send a report to your general dentist following the completion of treatment and you will need to schedule an appointment with their office for the restoration. Otherwise, practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.

For most root canal treatments, we recommend that patients return to the office one year after the procedure was finished. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for your follow-up appointment.  In the meantime, it is of the utmost importance that you see your general dentist to have the tooth permanently restored 2-3 weeks after treatment is completed in our office

Your mouth will be partially numb for 2-3 hours, so care should be taken to not bite your cheek, tongue or lip.  Patients are comfortable eating something soft and using the opposing side of the mouth for chewing. It is a good idea to have food in your stomach before taking medication, so if you are not planning on eating afterwards, be sure and have breakfast or lunch beforehand.

No. While radiographs (x-ray images) will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an advanced non-film computerized system, called digital radiography, that produces radiation levels up to 90 percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your restorative dentist via secure e-mail or portal that is HIPAA compliant.

Again, there’s no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.

Yes, you will be able to return to your normal activities following root canal treatment procedure.  The area of your mouth that is worked on will be numb for a few hours which should not interfere with your daily routine.

Yes, you will be able to drive after the procedure. we use local anesthetics similar to what your general dentist uses for crowns and fillings.

If you elect for oral conscious sedation, such as Valium, Xanax, etc, you may not drive and will need to have a companion to drive you to and from the appointment and stay with you until the sedatives wear off.

Following the completion of root canal treatment, we will send a report to your dentist. Unless instructed otherwise, you should contact your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment for the final restoration within next 2-3 weeks after root canal treatment. Your dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth.

The temporary filling that we place in the access cavity on the chewing surface of the tooth will last 2-4 weeks. It is crucial to see your general dentist for a permanent restoration before the temporary filling starts to break down. Bacterial leakage can be detrimental to the outcome of treatment.

New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked, or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.