Patient Information

An endodontist is a dentist who has completed two or more years of advanced specialty training in diagnosing and treating problems of the dental pulp and the tissues around the root of the tooth. Endodontists perform routine and complex root canal treatments, retreatments, endodontic surgery, and manage dental trauma.

Please bring any x-rays given by your dentist, your insurance cards and forms, and a list of medications you are taking. Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please also complete our online Medical History Form before your first visit.

Most of our patients are referred by their dentist, but a referral is not required — you are welcome to contact our office directly, including for emergencies and second opinions.

When the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected — from deep decay, repeated dental procedures, a crack, or an injury — root canal treatment removes the injured pulp, and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This treatment can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

We use local anaesthesia to eliminate discomfort, and take extra steps for patients who have a hard time getting numb — before starting treatment, we make sure your tooth is completely "sleeping." We believe your visit with us should be a pain-free and relaxed experience. For patients who require added comfort, oral sedation is available.

Treatment usually involves local anaesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on what your tooth requires. In many cases, treatment can begin at the same appointment as your consultation.

Occasionally a tooth that has had root canal treatment does not heal as expected, or develops new problems. In many of these cases the tooth can still be saved with retreatment — the original filling is removed, the canals are cleaned and disinfected again, and the tooth is resealed — or with endodontic microsurgery where retreatment is not possible.

After routine treatment with local anaesthesia you will be able to drive home, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine. If your treatment involves sedation, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult who will drive you home — see our sedation instructions.

A record of your treatment is sent to your restorative dentist, and you should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks. A crown is usually recommended to protect the tooth from fracture long term. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine treatment; if a problem does occur, we are available to respond.

It is normal to experience some discomfort for 1-2 weeks after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with pain medication, or should swelling develop, please call our office. Full aftercare guidance is in our patient instructions.

The cost varies depending on the severity of the problem and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth. Our team is happy to discuss fees and insurance with you before treatment begins, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Referring offices can use our online referral form to send patient details, clinical notes, radiographs, and files securely. Every referral receives a confirmation number, we contact the patient to arrange the appointment, and a written report with post-treatment radiographs is sent back to the referring office when treatment is complete.