First Visit Information

Welcome to Finesse Endodontics!

We’re excited to have you as a new patient. For your first visit, please bring your referral form from your general dentist, insurance information, and a list of current medications. We’ll need to know a bit about your medical and dental history to provide the best care. To save time, you can fill out our new patient forms online before your appointment.

During your initial appointment, we’ll review your diagnosis and discuss your treatment options. After this consultation, we'll schedule your treatment, which may occasionally be performed on the same day. If you are experiencing pain, every effort will be made to see you on the same day.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you and helping with your endodontic needs!

Please note: A parent or guardian must accompany all patients under the age of 18.

Post Procedure

Non-Surgical Root Canal Treatment/Retreatment

You are receiving these instructions because you have just had root canal therapy. Your root canal is either complete, or there is medication in your tooth that requires you to return to the clinic to have your root canal completed. Please follow the instructions below:

Refrain from eating or drinking until the numbness in your mouth wears off.
Avoid chewing or biting on the treated tooth until it has been restored by your dentist.
Continue to brush and floss your teeth as normal.

What to expect:

Tenderness in the area around the treated tooth is normal during the next few days. These symptoms are typically temporary and should respond well to over-the counter pain medications. If necessary, please use the following medication regimen for the next 48 hours.

3 tablets (600 mg) of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. Not to exceed 3200 mg a day.

If you are unable to take NSAIDS or for breakthrough pain, you may take or add,

2 tablets (1000 mg) of Extra Strength Acetaminophen every 6-8 hours. Not to exceed 4000 mg a day.

DO NOT COMBINE WITH ALCOHOL USE.

Should you be prescribed narcotic medications, be aware that these may make you drowsy so please exercise caution while driving or operating heavy machinery.
Caution: If you are pregnant, consult with your obstetrician before taking any pain medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, please be aware that they may decrease the effectiveness of birth control.

Contact your endodontist immediately at (626) 286-1122 if you develop any of the following;

Severe pain not managed adequately by the regimen recommended.
An allergic reaction to any medication taken, including rash, itching, and hives.
Nausea from the prescribed medications.
Swelling inside or outside of your mouth.
A return of your original symptoms.
A lost temporary filling.
For after-hours emergencies, please visit your local emergency room.

A permanent restoration of the root canal treated tooth is critical.

Please contact your dentist immediately to arrange an appointment!

Post Procedure

Surgical Root Canal Treatment

You are receiving these instructions because you have just had a surgical endodontic procedure. Please follow the instructions below:

You have been given an ice pack to be applied to the surgical area – continue to apply ice for the rest of today at intervals of 20 minutes on followed by 20 minutes off. Repeat as much as possible to reduce swelling.
For your comfort, eat on the side opposite the surgery. Choose soft foods (jello, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, toast, et.) and avoid anything very hot for 3-4 days.
Brush your teeth as you normally would, except in the surgical area. The teeth in the surgical area may be brushed very lightly, slowly and superficially with a soft brush, however, do notbrush close to the gum tissue. After brushing, rinse morning and night with 0.12% Chlorhexidine (Peridex) for 30 seconds, and for 1 week.
Avoid strenuous activity for the next 24 to 48 hours; this includes running, aerobics, weightlifting, etc.
Your sutures are attached to your gums under the lips/cheek. Do NOT lift your lip (or pull out your cheek) to look at the area, as this may tear the sutures.

What to expect:

Tenderness in the surgical area is normal during the next few days. These symptoms may increase, and the third day after the surgery is typically the worst. Bruising may appear on the side of the surgery and increase in severity by day 3 as well. Slight bleeding or oozing for the first 24 hours is also normal. Discomfort is expected but usually responds well to over-the counter pain medications. Please use the following medication regimen for the next 48 hours.

3 tablets (600 mg) of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. Not to exceed 3200 mg a day.

If you are unable to take NSAIDS or for breakthrough pain, you may take or add,
2 tablets (1000 mg) of Extra Strength Acetaminophen every 6-8 hours.
Not to exceed 4000 mg a day.

DO NOT COMBINE WITH ALCOHOL USE.

You may have been prescribed narcotic medications to help with pain after the surgery. Be aware that these may make you drowsy so please exercise caution while driving or operating heavy machinery.
Caution: If you are pregnant, consult with your obstetrician before taking any pain medication.
You may have been prescribed an antibiotic. Please take this medication as directed until you have completed the entire prescription, even if you feel that is unnecessary. Please be aware that they may decrease the effectiveness of birth control.

Contact your endodontist immediately at (626) 286-1122 if you develop any of the following:

Severe pain not managed adequately by the regimen recommended.
An allergic reaction to any medication taken, including rash, itching, and hives.
Nausea from the prescribed medications.
Disruption of the sutures that were placed.
For after-hours emergencies, please visit your local emergency room.

A follow up appointment for suture removal and post-operative evaluation is critical. You will need to return to the clinic to have them removed at an appropriate time detailed by your endodontist.