At Miami Root Canal Specialists, we know how uncomfortable tooth pain can be. With this in mind, our entire team is committed to attending to your needs promptly and providing your care in a calm and relaxed environment.
Whether you are facing dental pain, a dental infection, a cracked tooth, a traumatic dental injury, or any other endodontic challenge, Miami Root Canal Specialists is here to help. Below is a general overview of what to expect from your treatment experience.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment to ensure you have time to complete the patient registration forms prior to your evaluation. This helps us to remain on schedule throughout the day. We aim to be respectful of both your time and the time of our other patients.
Please remember to eat a full meal prior to your appointment. If treatment is found to be necessary, we are often able to start same-day.
You may ask your dentist to send a copy of your recent radiographs (X-rays) for our review. Please understand that we may still take new radiographs, if needed, during your evaluation to aid with your diagnosis and treatment.
Note that all patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to both the evaluation and treatment appointments.
When you are scheduling an appointment, please let us know if you suffer from a serious medical condition or if you are (or think you could be) pregnant. We may need medical clearance from your physician prior to providing care.
Please continue taking all medications you have been prescribed by your physician. If you require antibiotic premedication for a heart condition, joint replacement, or other medical condition, please make sure you have taken the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment. Please contact our office prior to your appointment if you have any questions.
At the first appointment, your tooth will be evaluated and diagnosed. Radiographs (X-rays) will be taken and the tooth will be tested to determine whether treatment is necessary. Depending on the condition of the tooth, a three-dimensional CBCT scan may be recommended to assist with diagnosis and treatment planning. If treatment is necessary, the procedure may be started (and often finished) on the same day as the evaluation—time permitting. If no treatment is recommended, a full report of our findings can be forwarded to your general dentist for their review
During your treatment, our goal is to ensure that you do not feel any discomfort. We take our time to make sure that you are comfortable and that your tooth is completely numb before starting the procedure.
As endodontists, we are experts at anesthetizing (numbing) teeth—particularly those causing a patient extreme pain. At our office, the vast majority of patients experience no discomfort during their Root Canal Therapy. You can rest assured that, if treatment is necessary, we will do everything possible to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Many patients feel more relaxed when they wear comfortable clothes and bring their own music to listen to. You are welcome to bring a pair of small headphones into the treatment area with you.
For details regarding the specific procedures performed at Miami Root Canal Specialists, please consult our “Services” section.
At the end of your treatment, the root canal system is sealed with biocompatible materials that help to prevent your tooth from becoming re-infected. In most cases, it will still be necessary for you to see your general dentist for a permanent filling or crown (cap) for the tooth. Failing to do so in a timely manner could result in re-infection of the tooth (leading to the need for endodontic retreatment) or fracture of the tooth (possibly leading to the need for removal). At the end of your appointment, we will clearly explain what is necessary to ensure the longevity of your specific tooth.
Immediately following your appointment, you will still be numb in the area around your treated tooth. It is not uncommon to experience some soreness in the area for the first 1-2 days after treatment. In most cases, this discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter analgesics (pain killers) like ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve). We will make specific recommendations for pain medications at the end of your treatment appointment.
Antibiotic medications are not prescribed for every patient that receives treatment in our office. We will make recommendations that are specific to your tooth and to your medical condition. Please keep in mind that taking antibiotics when they are not needed could decrease the efficacy (usefulness) of these medications in the future and—depending on how your body reacts—could cause you harm. We will make specific recommendations regarding whether antibiotic medication will be necessary as a part of your treatment.
Patients who complete their treatment at our office will receive a complimentary re-evaluation of their tooth 6-12 months following treatment. This helps us to ensure that your tooth has healed properly and continues to function well.
Please be sure to bring your referral slip (if referred from another dentist), your insurance information (if using insurance benefits), and a list of your current medications.
We always conduct our own evaluation prior to moving forward with any treatment. More often than not, the treatment we recommend is the same procedure that your dentist has referred you for. There are many cases, however, where we may recommend treatment of a different tooth, we may recommend a different treatment procedure, or we may recommend no treatment at all. In short, we always conduct our own evaluation to ensure that you are receiving the treatment that you truly need.
Endodontists are specialists in anesthetizing (numbing) teeth—especially those causing a patient extreme pain. We do not move forward with treatment until we are sure you have been completely anesthetized. At our office, the vast majority of patients experience no discomfort during their Root Canal Therapy.
While many patients experience no discomfort following their procedure, in most cases patients experience slight soreness for 1-2 days following treatment. This discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications. A small percentage of patients experience pain or swelling following their procedure. This is known as a flare-up. Patients who experience anything more than slight discomfort are asked to contact the office so that their symptoms can be addressed promptly.
Patients generally do not need time off from work or school following their root canal treatment. Although you may experience some soreness for 1-2 days following your treatment, there is usually no reason to schedule recovery time at home. If you have significant concerns regarding your ability to return to work/school after treatment, please contact our office to speak with one of the treating doctors.
Numbness can last for 1-2 hours after your appointment. Trying to eat while numb could result in you accidentally biting your cheek, lips, or tongue. For this reason, we recommend that you wait until the numbness has completely gone away before trying to eat.
In most cases, at the end of treatment, we place a temporary filling in your tooth. If you chew on this filling material, it may break or come loose. It is also possible that chewing on the tooth without a permanent filling or crown could lead to tooth fracture—resulting in the loss of your tooth. For these reasons, we recommend that you avoid chewing on your tooth until you have seen your general dentist for the permanent restoration (permanent filling or crown).
Following the guidance of the American Association of Endodontists, we prescribe antibiotics only to patients with infections that cannot be controlled with root canal therapy alone. Patients who are prescribed antibiotics typically have signs of infection (swelling or fever). Please keep in mind that taking antibiotics when they are not needed could decrease the efficacy (usefulness) of these medications in the future and—depending on how your body reacts—could cause you harm. We will make specific recommendations regarding whether antibiotic medication will be necessary as a part of your treatment.
In most cases, at the end of treatment, we place a temporary filling in your tooth. If you chew on this filling material, it may break or come loose. It is also possible that chewing on the tooth without a permanent filling or crown could lead to tooth fracture—resulting in the loss of your tooth. For these reasons, we recommend that you avoid chewing on your tooth until you have seen your general dentist for the permanent restoration (permanent filling or crown).
Many root canal treatments can be performed in one visit. However, a second visit may be necessary if the tooth is found to be infected or if the tooth presents with challenging anatomy. The decision to extend treatment over a second visit is made to ensure you have the best possible outcome for your treatment.
