Why You Might Need Multiple Endodontic Appointments

Your very first appointment with our team will include:

• A review of your medical and dental history
• Questions relating to the pain you’re experiencing (when it began, what (if any) trauma caused the pain, etc.)
• An oral evaluation
• Diagnostic tests (percussion, bite pressure, and temperature tests)
• Diagnostic imaging (x-rays and 3D images)

During this appointment, we’ll accurately diagnose your endodontic condition and create your custom treatment plan. Our team will determine whether you require:

• Root canal therapy
• Root canal retreatment
• Microsurgery
• A combination of therapies

We’ll also discuss the need for sedation and what type would serve your needs best.

Your Root Canal Therapy Appointment with Renovo Endodontic Studio

If you need root canal therapy, you’ll visit our office again.

This appointment will start with sedation and anesthesia. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your procedure.

Once your tooth is numb, we’ll open it using a handpiece and bur. We create access in the back of the incisors and canines or the biting surface of the bicuspids and molars. If there’s any decay present, we’ll remove it.

After gaining access to the canals, we’ll start using special cleaning instruments. These instruments look like tiny Christmas trees or metal scrubbing brushes. They help us access the narrow canals and thoroughly clean out the infected or dead pulp tissue.

Throughout the procedure, we’ll take x-rays to ensure we’ve cleaned out all the tissue from the canals. The x-rays also help prevent canal perforations, which can lead to tooth loss.

When You Need a Second Endodontic Appointment

At this point, we’ll determine if you need an additional appointment. If so, we’ll place a temporary filling in your tooth and see you again after at least a week. If not, we’ll proceed with the following steps to complete your root canal therapy.

• Disinfect the canals
• Place gutta-percha into the canals
• Place a temporary filling

Once we complete the root canal therapy, we’ll refer you back to your general dentist. Your dentist will remove the temporary filling and place a permanent filling called a build-up before preparing your tooth for a crown.

5 Reasons You Might Need (at Least) One More Endodontic Appointment

Our Renovo endodontic team can typically complete root canal therapy in one to two visits. However, in some instances, we need to see patients three or more times. According to the American Association of Endodontists, the most common reasons patients need additional appointments include the following.

1. Extreme Pain

Some patients are in so much pain when they come to us that they experience pain even after we administer a local anesthetic. The cause for this is often an active infection or extreme trauma.

During this appointment, the main goal is to get the patient out of pain. We do just enough to help relieve the pressure and pain. At this time, we don’t worry about cleaning the canals or placing gutta-percha.

Once their emergency appointment is complete, our Renovo endo team will prescribe antibiotics if necessary. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to complete the root canal therapy.

2. TMJ Disorder

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a painful condition that impacts the jaw joints. It can cause:

• Facial pain
• Earaches
• Chronic headaches
• Migraines
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Lockjaw

It is sometimes necessary to break up an endodontic appointment to prevent jaw irritation and pain. Additionally, if a patient’s jaw muscles and soft tissues are inflamed to the point where they can’t open or keep their mouth open, we can reschedule their appointment.

3. Additional Canals Are Discovered

Sometimes, a dentist or endodontist completes a root canal treatment and later discovers that the tooth has an additional canal. The tip-off is that the patient still feels discomfort after root canal therapy.

X-rays taken at various angles can help dental professionals locate additional canals.

Most teeth have a set number of canals:

• Central incisors: One canal
• Lateral incisors: One canal
• Canines: One canal
• Bicuspids: One to two canals
• Molars: At least three canals

However, some people have unique anatomy, and their teeth have more canals than anticipated.

At Renovo Endodontic Studio, we utilize 3D imaging technology to identify all the roots and root canals a tooth has so we can avoid this type of surprise.

4. An Active Infection

If a patient has an active infection, we will separate their root canal therapy into at least two appointments.

During the first visit, we’ll remove any decay and clean the canals. Then, our Renovo dental team will prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

Once the infection is healed, we’ll proceed with disinfecting the canals and placing the gutta-percha.

5. Extremely Narrow or Curved Canals

One of the reasons we urge patients to see an endodontist for root canal therapy is because of their:

• Expertise
• Experience
• State-of-the-art equipment

A general dentist does not always have the tools needed to identify curved or narrow roots. Or if they do identify them, they might not be able to accurately gauge the procedure’s complexity. This can result in further pain for the patient and treatment errors.

Our Renovo endodontic team has the equipment needed to determine how to proceed with treatment in a way that reduces the risk of errors.

Additionally, they have access to continuing education courses that keep them up to date on completing complex procedures. These courses also provide access to the latest tools and instruments to prevent tooth and root damage (like perforations).

Your Renovo Dental Team Prides Themselves on Their Thoroughness

It’s easy to feel behind the clock sometimes. When this happens, good dentists and endodontists can try to “do it all” in one appointment when this isn’t always the best option for patients.

Of course, patients don’t want to visit their dentist more often than necessary. However, an extra visit to Renovo Endodontic Studio will help ensure we do our work thoroughly and in a way that prevents pain and future complications.

Do you have questions about your treatment? Contact Renovo Endodontic Studio using our online contact form. We’re happy to answer your questions and schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.