First Visit

Your initial appointment will consist of a consultation explaining your diagnosis and treatment options. Occasionally, treatment can be done the same day as the consultation.

A separate consultation appointment is often required in the following situations:

  • The tooth being evaluated has had a previous root canal or has a complex treatment plan
  • A complex medical history exists requiring additional planning prior to treatment
  • The patient desires oral sedation with their proposed treatment
  • If the patient is having symptoms, but the need for root canal treatment is unsure or if the source of the symptoms has not been narrowed to a specific tooth.  In this scenario it is advisable to have a consultation first in order to determine which tooth is causing the symptoms, and also whether that tooth would benefit from root canal treatment.

The initial consultation will allow us the opportunity to discuss the medical history, assess and diagnose the tooth or teeth involved, discuss possible treatment options, as well as the associated prognosis of each option.  Depending on the treatment elected, a second appointment can then be scheduled in order to provide the needed treatment on another day.  In cases of severe pain, the consultation and treatment can oftentimes be performed on the same day.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your consultation:

  • Your referral slip and any X-rays if applicable.
  • A list of medications you are presently taking.
  • If you have dental insurance, bring the necessary information. This will save time and allow us to process any claims.
  • If you are considering using CareCredit to pay for your treatment, you can complete your application in advance at www.carecredit.com.  This will allow you to establish approval for credit in advance and also for you to know how much credit you are approved for.

IMPORTANT: A parent or guardian must accompany all patients under 18 at the consultation visit.

Part of our consultation and diagnosis process involves a review of your medical history.  This includes filling out a medical questionnaire, please be thorough in your responses.  Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to treatment (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, kidney or other organ disease, a history of osteoporosis or bone density problems, etc.) or if you are on any medications (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, anticoagulant therapy, bisphosphonates, Actonel, Fosomax, Boniva, etc.) or require medication prior to dental cleanings (i.e antibiotics, for pre-med.)

X-Rays

Your general dentist may provide you with x-rays to bring with you to your appointment.  These x-rays will be looked at and evaluated as a part of the consultation and treatment process.  Because different angulations of x-rays can provide critically important information and greatly assist us in our diagnosis and treatment process, we will also take our own digital x-rays in our office.  These x-rays are taken for diagnostic purposes and will be taken throughout the treatment process.  If your general dentist has taken a 3D cone beam CT scan, it may be useful for you to bring a disc copy of that scan to your consultation appointment.