Will I have pain during the procedure?
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.

Will I have pain after the appointment?
For the first few days after treatment, there may be some sensitivity to biting pressure, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. We typically recommend anti-inflammatory medications (for example-ibuprofen) for a few days after the treatment. You may also be given a prescription for antibiotics.

How long does the procedure take?
The length of the procedure and the number of appointments depend on many factors: is there an infection around the tooth, the number of roots involved, the size and curvature of the roots, the condition of the pulp tissue, and whether a re-treatment or apicoectomy is being performed. Each patient will typically have one hour reserved time for their appointment and most root canal treatments are completed in this visit. You will be notified prior to the procedure as to the number of appointments for your particular treatment.

When do I go back to my general dentist and what else needs to be done to this tooth?
We encourage you to return to your general dentist within 2 weeks for the permanent restoration which is a crown in most cases. Your dentist will determine the type of permanent restorative material that is best for your specific needs.

Do I need to come back to your office for this same tooth?
Depending on the type of treatment performed (typically surgical cases and retreatment with large infections) we will recommend that our patients return to our office within 6 months or 1 year for a re-evaluation. Dr. Sarkarzadeh will go over this with you before you leave our office and we will send a reminder notice as to when you are due for a recall visit.