FAQs

Why Have Endodontic Treatment?

Endodontic treatment is a necessary consideration to repair damage to the internal part of a tooth, most often because of previous deep decay. Sometimes trauma or tooth fracture can damage the tooth. Considerable past decay or trauma from an accident can cause damage many years later. While most dentistry focuses on the outside of the tooth above the gum line, endodontics refers to the dental treatment inside the tooth. Below the gum line, the root receives nerve and blood supply from the surrounding bone. This blood and nerve supply within the root is called the dental pulp. It is especially important to the tooth as it develops in childhood. Later when the dental pulp becomes damaged, the tooth can become sensitive.

If tooth sensitivity is caused by an inflamed or infected dental pulp, a low dose digital x-ray would be needed to help identify the source of the problem. If the pulp is the problem, endodontic treatment would be recommended. Endodontic treatment removes the inflamed and infected pulp and allows the maintenance of the natural tooth. The tooth can continue to survive without the blood and nerve supply because once mature, nutrients are gained from the surrounding tissue. At Columbus Endodontic Specialists, we specialize only in root canal therapy to help patients maintain their natural teeth.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

On the day of your treatment, you may follow your regular medication and eating schedule as you normally would before your appointment. For maximum convenience, fill out all necessary paperwork before even coming to our office. We offer printable versions so that you may provide us with all necessary information at a time that works best for you. Just bring the forms to your appointment or allow some time to complete the forms at the office.  Please bring along a list of your current medications so that we can have a better idea of your health status.

At the appointment, we will use an appropriate anesthetic for numbing your tooth, depending on your procedure. Your comfort is our top priority. We also offer nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation (laughing gas) for an additional fee, if requested in advance. Most teeth can be treated in a single appointment, however, depending on the tooth, multiple appointments may be necessary to maximize success. Following the root canal treatment, a temporary filling will be placed in the treated tooth until a permanent restoration or crown can be placed by your general dentist.

After your procedure, we will discuss instructions regarding what to expect.  You will be given take home care instructions.

What Should I Expect After Treatment?

After your treatment, the healing process will take time to occur. Our doctor may recommend antibiotics or prescription medication to manage any infection or discomfort as needed. You will be given all necessary information regarding appropriate dietary and hygiene measures to take following the root canal. Most often, we recommend avoiding excessively crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods. We recommend regular dental hygiene with a soft toothbrush, floss, and oral rinse. These aftercare routines help protect the natural teeth from infection or inflammation following the procedure.

It’s expected not to feel completely back-to-normal when chewing for 7-10 days following the procedure. However, within a couple of weeks, you should expect to have a much easier time with eating or drinking with no unusual temperature sensitivity.

Within three to four weeks of your root canal therapy, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your regular dentist. Your regular dentist will remove the temporary filling and restore the tooth with a more durable filling or crown. We will transfer all necessary information to your dentist to make this follow-up appointment as easy as possible for you.

• Patient Instructions following Endodontic Treatment
• Home Care Following Endodontic Surgery
• After Today’s Treatment

Why Choose Columbus Endodontic Specialists?

Our no-hassle approach focuses on convenience and comfort for all patients, new and returning.

At Columbus Endodontic Specialists, we understand that the need for endodontic treatment is typically preceded by a significant amount of sensitivity or discomfort. With this in mind, we offer specialist services in our office to make your experience as convenient and comfortable as possible. 

Dr. Susi and Dr. Stentz have been practicing high-quality endodontic treatment together at their Columbus-based practice for over 7 years.

In 2021, Dr. Magness joined our practice, followed by Dr. Bukhari in 2022 and Dr. Edmunds in 2023. With Our Doctors having a combined experience of forty years, we are committed to delivering exceptional care using state-of-the-art methods and a relaxing chairside approach. We look forward to seeing you in our Reynoldsburg or Westerville office.

Created with you in mind, our unique features include:

• Single visit endodontics in most cases
• Outstanding patient education and care
• Continuous communication with referring doctors about all aspects of a patient’s care

If you’re nervous about endodontic treatment, let us ease your mind. Call us today at 614-577-1100 (Blacklick) or 614-882-8000 (Westerville) to learn more about our services.

Are You Accepting New Patients?

We are currently accepting patients in need of endodontic treatment here at Columbus Endodontic Specialists. We maintain a large professional network of referring general dentists and also offer emergency appointments for patients who need them. Please call us at 614-577-1100 (Blacklick) or 614-882-8000 (Westerville) to book an appointment.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

We provide affordable, high-quality endodontic treatment to the patients of Columbus and the surrounding Central Ohio area. Costs vary based on your treatment and insurance coverage. We will clearly communicate your payment expectations before and following treatment. Please call our office at 614-577-1100 (Blacklick) or 614-882-8000 (Westerville) for more information.