Your initial appointment will begin with a thorough examination and consultation to explain your diagnosis and treatment options. In most cases, treatment can be performed on the same day as the consultation (unless you or your general dentist specifically requested only a consultation).
Please provide the following information at your initial appointment:
Please alert our staff if you have a significant medical condition or allergy that may be of concern prior to treatment.
These include, but are not limited to:
Please also inform us if you require any pre-med antibiotics prior to dental treatments as recommended by your dentist or physician.
Scheduling
We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
We try our best to stay on schedule to minimize your waiting. Due to the fact our doctors provide many types of endodontic services, various circumstances may lengthen the time allocated for a procedure. Emergency cases can also arise and cause delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
Please call our Holland Office at (616) 392-6385 or our Muskegon Office at (231) 733-4494 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Financial Policy
We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients; therefore, payment and insurance co-payments are due at the time services are rendered.
For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash, and checks. We also accept Care Credit as payment for services.
We participate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and Delta Dental. We also receive payments from many other insurance companies, that we do not participate with any Medicare or Medicaid insurance plan. Payment of your estimated insurance co-payment amount will be due at the time of treatment. Any remaining balance after your insurance has been paid is your responsibility. We do our best to estimate your portion; however, we cannot be absolutely certain what your insurance company will pay until the payment has been received. Your prompt remittance of any remaining balance is appreciated.
If you have questions regarding your account or our financial policy, please contact our Holland office at (616) 392-6385 or our Muskegon office at (231) 733-4494. Many times, a simple telephone call will answer any questions regarding your account.
Instructions
Before Endodontic Treatment
Root canal therapy is performed using local anesthesia. There are usually no restrictions concerning driving or returning to work on the same day.
Continue all medications as recommended by your regular physician. If any medication you are taking requires you to avoid driving, please have someone drive you to and from your appointment. Please call our office with any questions regarding medication.
Please eat breakfast or lunch as usual prior to your appointment. You will be numb for about 3 hours following your appointment.
Please ensure that you are on the appropriate antibiotic on the day of your appointment if you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication prior to dental treatment. If there is a question, please call our office.
After Endodontic Treatment
It can be very normal for your tooth to be sore following root canal treatment, especially when chewing or biting down. This tenderness generally lasts 3 – 6 days.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol will help with any discomfort. If you are prescribed any additional medications from our office, please take them as directed. If your pain cannot be controlled or if you experience any swelling, please contact our office. Please note that facial swelling on the side that treatment was performed may occur, especially if root canal treatment was performed on an infected tooth or a tooth with a dead nerve.
Please do not chew on the side of your mouth on which treatment was performed for 1 hour. We will place a temporary filling in your tooth that needs time to set up and harden. After that time, use caution with that tooth until you return to your general dentist. Restoring your tooth as soon as possible helps ensure the success of root canal treatment. We recommend that you return to your general dentist 1 – 3 weeks following root canal treatment for placement of a permanent filling and/or crown.