Precision Endodontics gives you a healthier, more complete smile using the latest technologies and treatments. Dr. Anderson, Dr. Gharavi, and staff help you have that perfect smile with revitalizing and maintaining your teeth and gums. We specialize in many areas including:
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• Root Canal
• Cracked Teeth
• Sedation
• Traumatic Injuries
• Dental Emergencies
• Endodontic Retreatment
• Apicoectomy
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before Endodontics Treatment
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This procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions after the procedure concerning driving or returning to work. A doctor is available for consultation at all times should a problem arise after your treatment.
Continue all medications for blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems and any other conditions as recommended by your physician. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.
Please eat a full breakfast or lunch prior to your appointment.
If you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication because of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), heart murmur, hip, knee, cardiac or other prosthesis, or if you have rheumatic heart disease, please make sure you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment. If there is a question, please call our office prior to your appointment.
If you can take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), it does help reduce inflammation when taken pre-operatively. We recommend 2 tablets of either medication 2-4 hours before endodontic therapy.
What are the Home Care Instructions?
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Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and any previous inflammation or infection. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Do not chew food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective restoration provided by your restorative dentist. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed. A good rule of thumb is to take 3 Advil tabs, 3 times a day, for 3 days following endodontic therapy.
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NOTE: Alcohol intake is not advised while taking any of these medications. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact this office immediately.
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The office telephone is answered day and night. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy number available.
After Completion of Endodontic Treatment.
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Endodontic treatment has now been completed. The root canal system has been permanently sealed. However, the outer surface is sealed with a temporary restoration. A follow-up restoration must be placed to protect your tooth against fracture and decay. Please telephone your restorative dentist for an appointment. A complete report of treatment including x-rays will be sent to your restorative dentist. Included in your treatment is a follow-up examination to evaluate the progress of healing. This appointment will require only a few minutes and no additional fee will be charged. Depending on your individual case the doctor will notify you when to schedule the appropriate recall(s).
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Your tooth is more prone to fracture immediately after endodontic treatment. You should chew on the other side until your restorative dentist has placed a core build-up and a protective restoration, usually a crown. Your restorative dentist will determine the appropriate restoration to best protect your tooth.
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Are There Any Potential Problems After Treatment?
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Lower teeth and nerve injury. There is a slight possibility that nerve injury can occur during root canal surgery to the lower posterior teeth. Your Endodontist is trained to assess this possibility prior to treatment and will advise you accordingly. For lower posterior teeth, the root tips may be near a nerve that supplies feeling to the lip, chin and gums. Your Endodontist is trained to design your surgery to minimize the chances of damaging this nerve. Rarely, this nerve can become irritated during the process of surgery. In these cases, when the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience tingling, altered sensation or, in rare cases a complete lack of feeling in the affected tissues. Should this occur, it is usually temporary and will resolve over a period of days, weeks or months. In rare cases, these changes can be permanent and/or painful.
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Upper teeth and sinus communication. The upper teeth are situated near your sinuses, and root canal surgery can result in a communication between your mouth and the adjacent sinus. Should this complication occur, it will usually heal spontaneously. We will give you special instructions if this is apparent at the time of surgery. We prefer that you don’t blow your nose for two to three days after surgery. If you have to sneeze, you should sneeze with an open mouth into a tissue. You should not create any pressure in the sinus area. If you sense a complication after surgery, please contact us.
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Post-operative infections. Post-operative infections occasionally occur. This is no cause for alarm and usually require a one week regimen of antibiotics. .
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or “root canal” contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.
I’m worried about x-rays. Should I be?
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No. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontics 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 co therapists via e-mail or diskette.
What about infection?
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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.
What happens after treatment?
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When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his office for a follow-up restoration within a two weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond.
What new technologies are being used?
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Operating Microscopes:
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In addition to digital radiography, we utilize special operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth. Also, a tiny video camera on the operating microscope can record still and video images of your tooth to further document the doctor’s findings.
What are the fees?
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The fee for your endodontic treatment will be based on the extent of treatment. During your first visit we will discuss the probable number of visits, their length, and the fees involved. It is our policy that your care is paid for at the time of treatment. We accept cash, check, or credit card as forms of payment. We are also a preferred provider for several major dental insurance companies. Please contact us for further information of how we can assist you in utilizing your dental insurance benefits.
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We are pleased to offer Care Credit to our patients. Care Credit is a convenient, low monthly payment plan for dental treatments of $1,000 to $25,000. Offering Care Credit allows us to make your treatment affordable.
Do you take my insurance?
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Here at Precision Endodontics we accept most insurances including Aenta, Ameritas, Assurant/DHA, Cigna, Delta, Dentemax, GEHA/Connection, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Principal, United Concordia, United Healthcare
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We will collect your insurance information, outline your estimated coverage, and fill out all necessary paperwork for you. We accept and file most dental insurance, so please contact us about your plan!
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If you do not have insurance we offer many options to pay for your dental care. Cash, checks, debit and most major credit cards. We also offer Care Credit, and our staff will be more then happy to assist you in applying for any dental payment plan.