Consultation

Your dentist has referred you to our office for an endodontic evaluation and possible treatment. We will review your medical and dental history, chief complaint, perform diagnostic tests, and study all x-rays. It is sometimes necessary to have additional x-rays taken in order to provide a three dimensional view of the tooth in question.

The goals of an endodontic evaluation are:

1. Identify the source of the pain.
2. Determine if you are in need of endodontic (root canal) treatment
   

Differential Diagnosis of Orofacial Pain

Patients often experience generalized pain and are unable to identify the problem tooth. Sometimes pain can be felt in an area that is different from the one in which it originates. When the source of pain is different from the site of pain, this is commonly known as referred pain. We will use the consultation appointment to determine the source and needed resolution of your pain.

Endodontists are trained to differentiate between pain of endodontic origin (this is pain from the pulp of the tooth) and non-endodontic pain. Not all oral pain implies that root canal therapy is needed. Even though pain may mimic that of a "toothache", other possible causes of pain may be periodontal abscess, temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, cracked tooth syndrome, sinus infection, bruxism (grinding), atypical facial neuralgia, blocked salivary gland, cervical (neck) problems, etc.

In such cases, endodontic treatment is not necessary, since it will not resolve the problem. A referral to the proper medical or dental or medical specialist will be made.