Patient FAQs

These are some common questions we get from patients that we want to share with you.

What is an endodontist?

Endodontists are specialized dentists who focus on maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy.

Endodontic therapy is related to the soft, inner tissue of the tooth (called the pulp). So, if you’re referred to an endodontist, it means you’ve got a great dentist who wants to make sure you get the best care possible.

An endodontist will work to preserve your tooth and relieve pain for years to come. This is done through a root canal, the most common endodontic procedure, or another type of endodontic therapy which your endodontist will discuss with you. No matter what route your endodontist recommends, your care and comfort will be placed first.

How is an endodontist different from a dentist?

All endodontists are dentists, but only about 3% of dentists are endodontists.

That’s because endodontists are specialists who have completed an additional two or more years of training beyond dental school.

This training makes them experts in diagnosing tooth pain, performing root canal treatments and administering other types of procedures related to the interior of your teeth.

Endodontists are trained to save your teeth, and are constantly learning and practicing with new technology in order to care for you better and better. Dr. Nieves is especially passionate about making sure patients leave with a smile!

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a common endodontic procedure where the endodontist removes infected or inflamed pulp (the root) from the tooth to relieve pain and discomfort.

Do not worry if your dentist recommends you to our office for a root canal. Because anesthesia is used during the process, the procedure itself is not very painful, and you’ll likely be relieved to have your tooth pain go away! There is some discomfort after the procedure, such as soreness or numbness, but this generally lasts only a few days.

You can learn more about root canals and the procedures we use to relieve tooth pain on our root canals page.

Can’t my dentist just pull my problem tooth?

In nearly all cases, extracting a tooth is much worse than performing a common root canal or other procedure designed to relieve tooth pain from root issues. While everyone is different, common side effects of pulling a tooth versus getting a root canal include: infection, shifting of teeth, stress on adjacent anchoring teeth, and potentially having to have other procedures done later.

What’s the recovery like for a root canal?

As with any dental procedure, the recovery time after a root canal can vary depending on a number of different factors. Typically, most patients experience minimal discomfort following the treatment and are able to resume their normal activities within a few days.

Do I need to be referred by a dentist to see you?

No! Luckily, Dr. Nieves is a dentist (all endodontists are dentists), so he can help diagnose your pain and consult you on available treatment options specifically for your case. Call our office to speak with our staff and see how we can help.

Will I need to come back to your office for additional visits?

After your endodontic procedure is performed, we generally have our patients return within 6 to 12 months to make sure the tooth has healed properly.

Does insurance cover endodontic procedures?

Because every insurance is different, we recommend checking with your employer or your insurance company to see what is covered.

What is Dental EMR?

Dental EMR is the secure, cloud-based patient management system we use keep all your records and information safe and easily accessible throughout your treatment. For referring dentists, it makes it easy it share your previous patient information from their office so that we have a full picture of how we can best treat you.