WELCOME

 

Welcome to our practice, the Endodontic Specialists of Oakhurst. We have been providing speciality dental care to the mountain community for over ten years. We look forward to having you as a patient of our practice and we thank you for entrusting your endodontic needs to our care. Our expert team, led by Dr. Ryan J. Franklin, includes an experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff. We are devoted to providing the highest standard of professional care in a friendly and comfortable environment. We endlessly strive to ensure that your experience is a positive one.

We hope that the following information answers many of the questions you may have about endodontic therapy. Should you have further inquiries, or seek additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 559-683-4700. You may also email us at office@endospecialistsofoakhurst.com.

We thank your for your interest in Endodontic Specialists of Oakhurst, a dental practice devoted exclusively to your endodontic care.

 

FIRST VISIT

 

On your initial visit, please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your consultation:

Your initial appointment will consist of a consultation explaining your diagnosis and treatment options. Most often, root canal treatment is completed the same day as the consultation, depending on the recommendation by the referring dentist or the preference of the individual patient. Occasionally however, this first visit may only involve a consultation. This is usually the case when a patient presents with a complex medical history, a lengthy treatment plan involving multiple teeth, and/or a complicated diagnosis. In these cases, a second appointment will likely be scheduled to provide treatment on another day. 

Please note that additional x-rays are often taken at the time of consultation. There is no additional expense for these X-rays. Additionally, in some cases 3D (CBCT) images may also be required. There is a nominal fee for these sophisticated CBCT images. Note that our standard digital radiography and our CBCT imaging systems both produce phenomenally low radiation exposure in comparison to traditional x-ray systems.

Following a thorough clinical and radiographic examination, Dr. Franklin and his team will review and discuss your treatment options with you. If treatment is provided on the same day as the consultation, local anesthesia is administered to the treatment site. Our team is extremely diligent at ensuring patient comfort and proper anesthesia prior to moving forward with any procedure. It would be exceptionally rare to experience discomfort during the course of treatment. Most endodontic procedures performed by our office will require between 60 and 90 minutes. In almost all cases, treatment is completed in one appointment. During the course of treatment, several x-rays are usually taken. At the end of your visit, Dr. Franklin and his team will review the treatment performed, provide any post operative instructions, suggest proper pain management strategies and answer any questions you may have.

It is extremely important to us that our patients understand their neccessity for treatment and that they are aware of the steps that they must follow to optimize treatment results. Therefore, please do not hesitate to ask us for additional clarification or further explanation at any time throughout the consultation or treatment.

 

SCHEDULING

Endodontic Specialists of Oakhurst are available Monday through Thursday, 8:00am until 5:00pm, and Fridays 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Additionally, our answering service is available to take any of your after-hour calls every evening and on weekends. If you are having an emergency, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs as promptly as possible.

We understand that your time is important to you, and we make every effort to stay on schedule in order to minimize your waiting. Please understand however that due to the varied nature of endodontic treatment, at times it can be difficult to predict precisely how long a specific case may take. Emergency situations, where individuals must be seen immediately, arise daily and can cause delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in these circumstances.

Please call us at 595-683-4700 with any questions, or to schedule an appointment.

 

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS 

BEFORE ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

This procedure will be performed using local anesthesia. There are typically no restrictions following the procedure with regard to driving or returning to work; unless your are being treated under oral conscious sedation (please see “anxious”). The doctor is available for consultation at all times should a problem arise post 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 as applicable.  If you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedicationdue to a 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. 

AFTER ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

Upon completion of endodontic treatment, the root canal system has been permanently sealed, but the biting surface may or may not be. Occasionally, the outer surface of the tooth is covered only by a temporary restoration, as per the recommendation of your referring dentist. In these cases, it is imperative that you make an appointment with your general dentist in a timely manner (we recommend not waiting longer than one month) to have the tooth restored with a permanent filling and/or a crown.  In most cases however, the referring dentist will prefer that our team place the permanent filling following the completion of the root canal therapy. In these instances, the tooth will be permanently sealed yet its outer biting surface may still require the protection of a crown by your referring dentist. All molar teeth that have root canal therapy will require a future crown if not already present at the time of root canal treatment. Crowns protect the molars to ensure that a crack or fracture does not form or worsen with future use.  A comprehensive report including our findings and recommendations, as well as a copy of the final x-ray will be mailed to your general dentist’s office within days of completion of your endodontic treatment.  Depending on the pre-operative presentation of case, a follow-up examination with our office may be necessary to evaluate the progress of healing several months post treatment. This appointment takes approximately ten minutes and there is no additional fee for this service.

POST-OPERATIVE DISCOMFORT

Following endodontic treatment, your tooth, gum tissue and jaw may be tender for several days. On average, most patients experience sensitivity when chewing on the respective tooth for up to 4-5 days following the initial treatment. This is normal and is no cause for alarm. Our team will typically prescribe high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen) in conjunction with Tylenol, to minimize post-operative sensitivity. Occasionally, stronger pain medications and/or antibiotics are prescribed if necessary. To minimize the discomfort and to protect your tooth, avoid chewing on the affected side until your general dentist restores the tooth with a crown or permanent filling (if applicable). 

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 our office immediately. The office telephone is answered day and night. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy number available.

FINANCIAL POLICY

PATIENT BILLING

Please remember you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office regardless of having insurance coverage or being a self-pay patient.

For your convenience we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Alternatively, prior to treatment, we are happy to assist you in making arrangements for a monthly payment plan through Care Credit.

We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients, therefore payment is due at the time service is rendered. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact us at 559-683-4700. Many times, a simple telephone call will clear any misunderstandings.

In house, non-interest payment plans are offered here at Endodontic Specialist of Oakhurst on a case-by-case basis.

INSURANCE INFORMATION

At Endodontic Specialists of Oakhurst we make every effort to provide you with the finest endodontic care coupled with convenient financial options. To accomplish this we work hand-in-hand with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. If you have any problems or questions, please ask our staff. They can be reached by phone at 559-683-4700. Please remember to bring your insurance information with you to the consultation so that we can expedite your insurance benefits.

PATIENT PRIVACY POLICY

The Notice of Privacy Practices form, contained within the “Online Forms” section of our website, presents the information that federal law requires us to give our patients regarding our privacy practices. You may click here to quickly access this form.

Note that all inter-office correspondence between our team and the office of your referring dentist, uses a special HIPAA-compliant and encrypted e-mail service to ensure the protection of your privacy as information will be shared between our offices.

 

FAQ 

WHAT IS AN ENDODONTIST?

An endodontist is a dentist who has undergone a minimum of 2-3 years of additional postgraduate training following dental school. This training allows an endodontist to better diagnose and treat diseases of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues, as well as differentiate between different types of oral-facial pain. General dentists typically refer their patients to an endodontist when the diagnosis is complicated or when treatment may be more challenging. The office of an endodontist, such as Endodontic Specialists of Oakhurst, is equipped with specialized operating microscopes, CBCT imaging, digital radiography, and novel medicaments and instrumentation that greatly enhance both our diagnostic capabilities and our technical precision during treatment. 

WHAT IS ENDODONTICS?

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry dedicated to treating the dental pulp. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion lying 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 pulp consisting of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria and bacterial products that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, trauma, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When this happens, an endodontist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. Following successful endodontic treatment, the tooth can then continue to function normally.

WHY WOULD I NEED ENDODONTIC THERAPY?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The most common reasons for inflammation or infection are deep cavities (caries), repeated dental procedures, and cracks into the pulp space. Trauma can also cause inflammation and often shows up as discoloration of the tooth. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. In certain instances, your general dentist may recommend endodontic treatment for restorative purposes even if the pulp is not inflamed or infected.

HOW CAN ENDODONTIC TREATMENT HELP ME?

Endodontic treatment enables an inflamed or infected tooth to be saved. After a tooth is endodontically treated and subsequently restored with a crown or filling by your general dentist, it should not be painful and should continue to function normally. The success rate of endodontic treatment is very high; between 90% and 95% and is typically less expensive and less invasive than replacing a lost tooth with a bridge or dental implant.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS THAT SUGGEST I NEED ROOT CANAL THERAPY?

Signs that might suggest you require root canal therapy include prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, pain to biting, spontaneous pain, swelling or tenderness along the adjacent gums, and/or the appearance of bone loss on an x-ray. Note, however, that pain is not always present when a tooth is experiencing an abscess.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING ENDODONTIC TREATMENT?

The endodontist will remove the inflamed or infected pulp from the inside of the tooth, carefully clean and shape the root canal system and then seal the prepared space. Most procedures are performed in a single appointment ranging from 60-90 minutes (depending on the complexity of the case). Some teeth however may require additional appointments, particularly if the tooth is found to be highly inflamed or infected. Once treatment is completed, you will be instructed to return to your dentist for a permanent crown or filling. The permanent restoration of the tooth is an important part of treatment as it seals the cleaned canals from the rest of the oral cavity, protects the tooth, and restores it to function.

WILL I FEEL PAIN DURING OR AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Tooth pain is the main reason for patients seeking treatment; therefore many patients may experience discomfort prior to having endodontic treatment. Fortunately, modern anesthetics can make the procedure pain free in most cases. Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so don't wait. When caught early, treatment should feel similiar to having a regular filling. For the first few days following treatment, some experience sensitivity to biting along with tenderness in the gums and jaw, particularly if there was pain or infection prior to the procedure. Our team will typically prescribe high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen) to minimize post-operative sensitivity. Occasionally, stronger pain medications and/or antibiotics are also prescribed as needed.

SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT X-RAYS?

No. While a series of x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an advanced non-film computerized imaging system, called digital radiography. Digital radiography produces radiation levels up to 90 percent lower than conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your general dentist via encrypted HIPPA compliant e-mail or standard mail. 

WHAT ABOUT INFECTION?

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 state-of-the-art autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.

WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE BEING USED?

Operating Microscopes: 

In addition to digital radiography, we utilize dental operating microscopes equipped with fiber optic illumination, which aids Dr. Franklin in seeing the tiny details inside your tooth. Additonally, a small video camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to further document the doctor's findings.

Digital X-Rays: 

As previously discussed, we use an advanced non-film computerized imaging system, called digital radiography, that reduces radiation levels up to 90 percent than that of conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your general dentist via encrypted HIPPA compliant e-mail or standard mail. 

3D Imaging System (AKA Cone Beam Computed Tomography or CBCT): 

CBCT technology is the most powerful addition to an endodontist’s armamentarium in the 21st century.  Using low-dose cone beam radiation provides incredible three dimensional views  of a patients abscess and canal morphology.  This allows us to provide the most accurate diagnoses, prognoses, patient education, and treatment plans. Knowledge of the canal morphology before beginning treatment effectively shortens treatment time and reduces the risk of “missed” canals.

Ultrasonics:

Ultrasonic instrumentation is a newer type of instrument used in endodontic therapy. Ultrasonic instruments are used namely to help negotiate and uncover complex root canal anatomy and to optimize the chemical debridement and disinfection of the canal. Ultrasonics are also used to make conservative root-end preparations during surgical endodontic therapy, ultimately enhancing the prognosis of such cases.

Electronic Apex Locators: 

Apex locators are small electronic machines used during endodontic treatment to determine the precise length of the root canal. They are often used in conjunction with traditional x-rays to provide the endodontist with extremely accurate and reliable results.

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