Once you are seated, Dr. Bezan, Dr. Warden or Dr. Gonzalez will introduce himself. He will conduct a review of your health history. You are given the opportunity to state your chief complaint and offer any additional infomation regarding your current dental problem. An evaluation of the tooth in question, as well as the surrounding teeth and structures, will be made. Necessary X-rays will be taken. Once a diagnosis has been reached, Dr. Bezan, Dr. Warden or Dr. Gonzalez will discuss his findings with you. You will be informed of your present situation. Treatment recommendations, options, and alternatives treatment recommendations, options and alternatives will be discussed.

Local anesthesia (used to be novocaine, now we use various alternatives to novocaine of novocaine such as lidocaine, bupivicaine, mepivicaine, etc.) will be delivered in sufficient quantity to render the affected tooth and surrounding area profoundly numb. Sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may be utilized. Once profoundly numb, the tooth in question is tested to confirm there is no sensation. Work is begun. The tooth is cleaned of decay. The infected or inflamed inner pulp tissue "nerve" is removed, the resulting space is machined to a specific shape and diameter, then the space is sealed.

A temporary filling is placed to seal the tooth until you return for completion, or until your return to your general dentist once the treatment is complete. Instructions on what to expect, how to minimize discomfort, and on how to protect your tooth are given.