Endodontic treatment is a procedure which involves the elimination of dental pulp infected by bacteria, whether brought on by physical, chemical or mechanical means. This treatment is required to restore correct tooth function.

The most likely symptoms are:

1. Pain in a tooth (teeth should not hurt; if you have pain you should consider a consultation).

2. Excessive sensibility (when drinking or eating cold or hot food).

3. Pain when chewing.

4. Feeling that there is something under the tooth.

5. Dental trauma (fracture of a tooth).

6. Change of color of the tooth.

The number of sessions depends on the tooth being treated and the previous diagnosis.

For example:

If it is a molar, then 2 or 3 sessions are required.

If it is a premolar or incisor, then 1 or 2 sessions are required.

• No, before starting endodontic treatment very powerful anaesthetics are used to block the nerves in the mouth so that the treatment is painless.

After the treatment is done, generally there is some sensibility which ranges from light to moderate and an analgesic is prescribed for you to help lessen these symptoms. This happens in a small percentage of clinical cases.

You will have to go to the doctor who treated you for rehabilitation right away so your tooth does not risk re-infection.

You have 7 to 10 days to rehabilitate your tooth. When your Endodontia is over a temporary dressing will be placed. It is only for this period. You must call the doctor who treated you to get an appointment quickly so there is no risk of contamination.

At the beginning of the appointment there will be a pre-treatment diagnosis which consists in:

• Previous endodontic diagnoses.

• Taking x-rays of the inside of the mouth.

• Tests of sensibility of the infected tooth.

• Evaluation of sensibility inside and outside the mouth.

• General explanation of the final treatment.

If, after understanding what will be involved, the patient decides to initiate treatment on that first day, he/she must pay the consutation fee plus 80% of the total cost of the treatment on that day. The remainder of the cost is paid at the second session.