Phone: (813) 684 - 6509
Fax: (813) 685 - 9447

Frequently Asked Questions

Often times we get questions that we've already answered for many of our clients.  We've made those questions and answers conveniently available to you below.  However, if you cannot find the answers to the questions you have for us, we invite you to contact us so we can help you.

Anesthesia

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  I was told I had to fast 6 hours prior to my procedure. Why do I have to do this?

When you have food in your stomach, digestion of the food naturally occurs. Certain enzymes and stomach acid produced to digest your food can be very damaging to your lung tissues if accidentally inhaled and will stop the exchange of oxygen/carbon dioxide to your body. During a sedation procedure, especially if a patient may be in a moderate to deep sedation or during general anesthesia, one’s gag reflex may be impaired. If a patient may experience nausea or vomiting from a sedative or general anesthetic, although rare, it is possible that the stomach enzymes and acids produced to digest food could be inhaled into the lungs because of the impaired gag reflex. Therefore, it is extremely important for the patient to take the fasting requirements seriously to prevent this simple, but life threatening event. Failure to follow the fasting requirements may result in delay or cancellation of your procedure. If you have accidentally forgotten about the fasting requirements and do not tell us prior to treatment, you will be risking your life.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the fasting requirements?

  1. No solid food, milk, or formula for 6 hours before the procedure.
  2. Give clear liquids (water, juice, Jello, popsicles, Gatorade) up to 2 hours before the scheduled procedure time.
  3. Nothing by mouth for the last 2 hours.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  If I am having nitrous oxide or mild sedation with a pill, do I still have to fast?

No, because your gag reflex is not usually impaired with nitrous oxide or mild (anxiolysis) sedation. However, one could still become nauseous, although rare, but it is impossible to predict exactly how one may respond to any drug…even as simple as taking an aspirin. To insure the safest procedure, it is wise to fast anyhow, or certainly minimize solid foods prior to any sedation procedure to prevent the production of stomach enzymes and acids.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Why can’t I drive home after a sedation procedure?

Sedation procedures can produce a degree of temporary amnesia. This is actually a good thing, for many patients actually request sedation to have little or no memory of the procedure. Unfortunately, the medicines used to provide the sedation cannot be switched "on and off" like a light switch. This is true even for oral sedation with a pill. Therefore, the sedation may take several hours to completely wear off after your procedure and driving could be hazardous to you and others on the road. "Was the red light still red? Can I find my way home? Wow, I feel great…lets speed up a little!!"…you could only imagine the dangerous and legal consequences. Don’t take a chance, have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you until you completely recover from your sedation.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I drive myself home after having nitrous oxide?

Generally yes you can, for nitrous oxide "wears off" and is out of your system quite rapidly. This is especially true for short procedures, or if the patient only wanted the nitrous oxide for the administration of a local anesthetic. As with any drug, nitrous oxide is dose dependant…meaning that if you are under nitrous oxide for several hours for a long procedure it will take longer for it to wear off and a responsible driver is recommended. When in doubt, ask us, or bring a driver…Have you had nitrous oxide before? Do you know how quickly you recovered in the past? How long will the procedure be?

Endodontics

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How Long Will The Procedure Take?

A root canal can be done in as little as 20 minutes, up to a few hours, depending on the case. Most cases typically take about an hour. Variables in the treatment time depend on the time to get you completely numb, pain free, adequately sedated (if chosen), the complexity of the case (i.e. number of canals, calcifications, curved roots, etc.), and the number of teeth treated.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What Is Endodontics? Why Don’t They Just Call It A “Root Canal”?

Endodontics is one of the 9 specialty fields recognized by the American Dental Association’s approved Specialties of Dentistry. Each of the 9 specialties requires additional schooling beyond the 4 years required for a DDS or DMD degree. A root canal procedure is part of the endodontic training received during a 24-36 month residency program. Additional training and procedures typically provided by an endodontic practice include root canals, internal medicine, radiology, diagnosis, anesthesia, pain control, emergencies, endodontic failures/retreatment of root canals, microbiology, pathology, immunology, dental anatomy, surgery, restorative procedures, bleaching, trauma, pediatrics, and geriatrics.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  When You Have A Root Canal, What Happens To The Root… Is It Taken Out?

The root is not taken out. A root is removed only when a tooth is pulled or extracted. During a root canal the center of the root of a tooth is cleaned out and filled with rubber like material called gutta percha. A good analogy to this would be like removing the lead out of a pencil, and filling the remaining hollow tube with plastic. By removing the center of the root (the dental pulp), the inflamed or infected tissue is removed/filled with gutta percha making the tooth comfortable again and in full function. Previous pain, swelling and infection goes away and the root canal procedure enables you to keep your original, natural tooth. The root canal procedure prevents the need for a tooth to be pulled, and subsequent missing teeth, dental bridgework, dentures, or implants.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Will It Hurt? What About After The Procedure, Will There Be Pain?

With proper diagnosis and treatment planning, many times antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medicine is prescribed in advance of the root canal to minimize or completely eliminate pain. We generally recommend a separate examination prior to the root canal to properly prepare and medicate the case to maximize pain control before, during, and after the procedure. This preparation along with skillful local anesthesia techniques and post operative pain control will make your root canal a pleasant experience. Conscious sedation will also eliminate anxiety issues that patients may have from a prior pain experience. We never advance further in the procedure unless you are comfortable and pain free.

Insurance Coverage

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the Insurance Codes?

You can view the insurance codes here: Endodontic Services and Anesthesia Services

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does Your Office Accept My Dental Insurance?

Yes, we do accept dental insurance. All indemnity plans are accepted, we are also in network with the following companies: Principal, Ameritas, Reliance, and Reliance Standard. We are not in network with any HMO or "discount" plans. Medical insurance and Medicare typically do not cover dental procedures. We are not a Medicaid provider. We will contact your insurance for an estimate of coverage prior to your appointment for the procedure. We ask that your portion (the difference in the charge and the estimated insurance payment), be paid at the time of treatment. We will file the claim for you. Some insurance companies will pay us directly, others will only send payment to the patient. Please read our Financial Policy in the "Build a Dental Chart" section of our web page for more detailed information.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Do You Accept Payments? Offer Financing?

We accept all the major credit and debit cards, and are a Care Credit provider. We offer no “in-house” financing. Care Credit offers a convenient 6 month, no interest option or extended financing plans at competitive interest rates. All application materials for Care Credit are at our office and can be processed online.
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