Clinical Information

Endodontic Consideration

Endodontic consideration, requires necessarily an endodontic examination to establish, confirm and review the patient's health history, radiographic examination, clinical examination , pulpal and periapical diagnostic tests, etiology and prognosis.  The consultation is required in order to present to the patient examination findings, periodontal status, treatment plan, restoration considerations and prognosis for the tooth.

It is understood that endodontic treatment is a procedure to retain a tooth which may otherwise require extraction.  Although this treatment has a very high degree of clinical success, it is still a biological procedure so it cannot be guaranteed.   Occasionally a tooth which has had endodontic treatment may require retreatment, surgery or even extraction.

We want you to understand that upon completion of root canal therapy in this office, you should return to your general family dentist for a permanent restoration of the tooth involved, such as a crown, cap, jacket, onlay or silver filling.  We also want to inform you that a check up x-ray should be taken in six (6) months by your general dentist or by the treating endodontist.

Endodontic Consent and Information

The purpose of the following information is not to alarm you, but to inform you.   Patients seeking endodontic treatment specialty services in the State of Michigan are asked to sign a consent form containing similar information:

ROOT CANAL THERAPY, ANESTHETICS AND MEDICATIONS

We would like to inform you of the various procedures involved in endodontic therapy and have your consent before starting treatment.   Endodontic (root canal) therapy is performed in order to save a tooth which otherwise might need to be removed.  This is accomplished by conservative root canal therapy.  The following discusses possible risks that may occur from endodontic treatment or other treatment choices.

RISKS:  Included (but not limited to) are complications resulting from the use of dental instruments, drugs, sedation, medicines, analgesics (pain killers), anesthetics and injections.  These complications included:   swelling; sensitivity; bleeding; pain; infection; numbness and tingling sensation in the lip, tongue, chin, gums, cheeks and teeth, which is transient but, on rare occasions, may be permanent; reaction to injections; changes in occlusion (biting); jaw muscle cramps and spasms; tempromandibular (jaw) joint difficulty; loosing of teeth; referred pain to ear, neck and head; nausea; vomiting; allergic reactions; delayed healing; and treatment failure.

RISKS MORE SPECIFIC TO ENDODONTIC THERAPY:  The risks include the possibility of instruments broken within the root canals; perforations (extra openings) of the crown or root of the tooth; damage to bridges, existing fillings, crowns or porcelain veneers; loss of tooth structure in gaining access to canals; and cracked teeth.  During treatment, complications may be discovered which make treatment impossible, or which may require dental surgery.  These complications may include:  blocked canals due to fillings in prior treatment, natural calcifications, broken instruments, curved roots, periodontal disease (gum disease), splits or fractures of the teeth.

MEDICATIONS:  Prescribed medications and drugs may cause drowsiness and lack of awareness and coordination (which may be intensified by the use of alcohol, tranquilizers, sedatives or other drugs).

OTHER TREATMENT CHOICES:  These include no treatment, waiting for more definite development of symptoms or tooth extraction.   Risks involved in these choices might include pain, infection, swelling, loss of teeth and infection to other areas.

Click here for pre-diagnostic form...