Surf City Endodontics treatment room with dental chair and 3D scan on screen

We know visiting a specialist can feel overwhelming

We’ve gathered everything you need to know before your appointment in one place

From what to expect on your first visit to payment options and patient forms.

Schedule Your Appointment

What You Can Expect

From your first check-in to your aftercare instructions, here’s a step-by-step look at how we make your visit comfortable, clear, and stress-free

Imaging

Once you've checked in, one of our assistants will bring you back to the treatment room. We’ll take any necessary digital images, such as X-rays or a 3D cone beam CT scan, to get a clear view of your tooth and surrounding structures. These images help your endodontist make the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Surf City Endodontics office photoFront desk team greeting a patientSurf City Endodontics office photoSurf City Endodontics office photoSurf City Endodontics office photoSurf City Endodontics office photoSurf City Endodontics office photoDental clinic room featuring a turquoise dental chair, an advanced dental microscope with dual eyepieces and black handles, and a dental unit with various tools and equipment against a geometric wooden wall.A smiling woman receptionist stands behind a blue tiled front desk with SCEPTRE computer monitors, greeting an elderly person in a green sweater at Surf Endodontics.Bright dental exam room with a light blue patient chair, a wooden chair with woven seat and back, large green plant, and a framed photo of a vehicle with plants inside on the wall.A smiling couple stands close together in front of a white vehicle with orange stripes and a surfboard on top, outside a building marked with the word 'ENDODONTICS'.White vase with a vibrant tropical flower arrangement including orange and pink flowers, and green leaves, placed on a wooden surface beneath a framed art piece depicting stylized figures surfing and standing on a beach with palm trees.Modern living room with a brown leather sofa, white round coffee table holding a small vase with a flower and a stack of books, a large plant in a white pot on the left, another tall plant in a pot on the right, a textured beige rug, wood-paneled ceiling with recessed lights, and a framed black-and-white photo of the ocean on a beige wall with white wave patterns.Interior wall with a wooden floor, a framed photo of a vintage car with an orange steering wheel on the left, and a large green potted plant against a textured wall on the right.

After Your Root Canal:
What You Need To Know

Please follow these guidelines after your treatment, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Do not eat or drink for the first 30 minutes, and avoid touching the treated tooth with your tongue.
(This allows your temporary filling to harden properly.)

Medications

If you were prescribed medication, fill it promptly and take it as directed.

If you weren’t prescribed medication, you may take ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Tylenol — as long as you’re not allergic.

Always follow the dosage instructions on the label.

If pain isn’t controlled, call our office.

Oral Hygiene

Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and flossing.

If the temporary filling falls out, contact your dentist.

If it happens after hours, you can purchase temporary filling material at a pharmacy to protect the tooth until you can be seen.

Normal Healing

Mild discomfort for 2–4 days is common.

Some soreness may last a few weeks.

Brush and floss as usual unless instructed otherwise.

Managing Discomfort & Swelling

Use a cold compress on your face near the treatment area.

Always place a cloth between the ice and your skin.

Apply for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for the next 6–8 hours.

Eating & Chewing

Once you resume eating, avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent restoration is placed.

The temporary filling/crown is softer and may crack.

Avoid hard foods like nuts, pretzels, hard candy, and ice.

Increased sensitivity is normal until the final crown or filling is placed.

You must see your restorative dentist within one month to complete the permanent restoration. Waiting longer increases the chance of fracture or decay.

Flare-Ups
(Read Carefully)

Rarely, about 5% of cases may develop a flare-up.

Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, throbbing, or significant discomfort.

If this happens, call our office right away. You may need additional medication (like antibiotics) or further treatment.

Payment + Insurance

Dental insurance works differently than medical insurance, so it’s important to review your benefit booklet from your provider to understand exactly what is covered. Your portion of payment will depend on the details of your individual plan.

At the time of treatment, we’ll provide you with an estimate of what your insurance is likely to cover based on the information we receive from your provider. Please note this is only an estimate — it is not a guarantee of benefits or payment. As a courtesy, our office will file all insurance claims for you. However, the final responsibility for payment rests with you. If your insurance pays less than expected, you’ll be billed for the difference; if they pay more, we’ll issue a credit to your account.

If you have questions about your specific coverage, our team will be happy to help explain your options before treatment.

Financial Policy

For your convenience, we accept cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.
Financing options are also available through Cherry.