Dr. Jeri Bills - Frequently Asked Questions


	Quick Contact Do you have questions? If so, feel free to contact us via the form below. Name: Phone: Email: Message: Dr. Geraldine Bills 875 Walnut St. Suite 200 Cary, NC 27511 Phone: 919 467 8227 Fax: 919 460 0476

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Questions About Your Root Canal Visit

Will it hurt?
My dentist says I need a root canal. My friend went to you. Does my dentist have to refer me to you?
How long does a root canal take?
What is the difference between a root canal appointment and a consultation appointment?
What happens if I don't need a root canal and I have a root canal appointment?
I have a root canal appointment, but all I want is a consultation.
Do I need someone to drive me?
I am so nervous. I just want to be "knocked out."
When can I resume chewing on my tooth?
How long should I wait before seeing my general dentist?
Do I need to take the Medication prescribed by Dr. Bills?
What if I experience pain after my root canal?
Dr. Bills says I grind my teeth. Where can I purchase a biteguard?
Will my insurance be filed in a timely manner?
How do I reach Dr. Bills if I’m having a problem?

Will it hurt?

This is our #1 asked question, and the answer is, we try as hard as we can to make your root canal as painless as possible. Of course, there are no guarantees, but we like the shots not to hurt, followed by the root canal procedure also not hurting. We will never tell you to "hold on, not much longer..." If it hurts, it hurts. We will always stop to make you more comfortable. That's why we are constantly asking how you are doing.

My dentist says I need a root canal. My friend went to you. Does my dentist have to refer me to you?

Your dentist does not have to refer you to us. We will send your follow up paperwork to your dentist at the conclusion of the appointment. There are several different Endodontic practices. Your dentist might refer to another practice because of geographic proximity, but does not really care where you go, as long as your tooth is treated. We are always happy to see patients whose friends refer them to us.

How long does a root canal take?

Most of our patients can expect to be in and out of our office in about an hour and a half. Of course, some teeth and some procedures take longer than others, but if there is a significant difference in the length of time needed, you will probably already have been alerted to that fact.

What is the difference between a root canal appointment and a consultation appointment?

Each root canal appointment contains a consultation. Dr. Bills will always personally confirm which tooth is involved. Sometimes, the symptoms are unclear as to which tooth is involved. Prior to initiating treatment, a current xray will be taken using our digital xray. Then, Dr. Bills will perform various diagnostic tests, which can include percussion, ice test, and bite tests. Only once the correct tooth is found will root canal treatment be initiated. The root canal appointment takes about an hour and a half.

For a consultation, the diagnostic tests are done, but then a separate root canal appointment will need to be made. A consultation appointment takes abour 15 minutes.

What happens if I don't need a root canal and I have a root canal appointment?

Following diagnosis, if it is determined that root canal therapy is not needed, then we part on amicable terms, with reassurance from our office that we are available, should you need to see us in the future. We will never initiate root canal therapy without thorough discussion of your situation, and receiving your permission to proceed with root canal therapy. Under no circumstances will we ever proceed with root canal therapy without your express permission.

I have a root canal appointment, but all I want is a consultation.

We hope that this doesn't happen, because this disappoints patients who would like to get in earlier for their root canal, and who could have used this appointment. However, if this is the case, we will cheerfully do a consultation appointment, and will either reschedule you for a root canal in the future, or decide, with your input, that we will not be doing a root canal.

Do I need someone to drive me?

You can drive yourself to and from your root canal appointment, unless you have taken oral sedation prior to your appointment.

I am so nervous. I just want to be "knocked out."

We understand. Most people are nervous. However, if you want to be sedated, we have the facilities to do this at our office.

For oral sedation, a pre-treatment sedation consultation is mandatory. At this appointment, we do a thorough health history review, including running a blood pressure strip and a pulse and oxygen saturation evaluation. If you have health issues, we will contact your physician to ensure that you are a candidate for sedation.

The evening before your root canal appointment, and the morning of your root canal appointment, you take medicine at home, (provided by Dr. Bills) for sedation. You arrive with your driver, an hour before your appointment, and we continue to monitor your level of sedation, giving you more medication as necessary, so that you are completely comfortable for your appointment. At the conclusion of your appointment, your driver takes you home and stays with you . You cannot drive for 24 hours after the last dose of medication, which means that you need a ride to work the next day, no matter how "normal" you feel.

When can I resume chewing on my tooth?

Dr. Bills has placed a filling material in your tooth, which allows you to chew immediately. However, you may want to wait until your numbness has worn off to avoid biting your cheek.

How long should I wait before seeing my general dentist?

Dr. Bills recommends that you have either a crown or a permanent filling material
placed within a two month period following your root canal treatment.

You do not need to see your general dentist for this tooth. Dr. Bills has placed a permanent filling in the chewing surface.

Do I need to take the Medication prescribed by Dr. Bills?

Antibiotics, prescribed by Dr. Bills, need to be taken until gone. (Female patient, taking birth control, should be aware that antibiotics render birth control pills ineffective. Alternative methods of birth control should be used during ingestion of antibiotics.) Pain medication may be taken as needed.

What if I experience pain after my root canal?

Most patients experience little or no pain from root canal therapy. However, if you do experience pain, this is not abnormal. Take 1 or 2 tablets of your prescription pain medication every 4 hours (do not take on an empty stomach.) If your pain returns prior to the next appointed dose of your pain medication, you may take an over the counter analgesic pain medication (ex: Advil or Tylenol) 2 hours following a dose of your prescribed pain medication (see below.) Studies have shown that prescribed pain medication alternated with an over the counter analgesic every two hours alleviates your pain more effectively than only prescribed pain medication every four hours. Rinsing with warm salt water is also effective in relieving pain. Soreness and puffiness around the gum are normal, and does not mean you have an infection. It is usually a reaction to your injections and can be relieved by warm salt water rinses several times a day. Pain to bite for a few days is not uncommon.

RX: Tylenol #3 – 2 Advil 2 hr. after pain medication
RX: Vicoprofen – 2 ex-strength Tylenol 2 hr. after pain medication

Dr. Bills says I grind my teeth. Where can I purchase a biteguard?

Your general dentist will be able to fabricate a biteguard made especially for you. If your tooth needs a crown, wait until after the crown is permanently placed before having a biteguard made.

Will my insurance be filed in a timely manner?

If you have dental insurance, and have provided our office with all pertinent insurance information, including the address, we will be happy to file a claim for you. The claim will be filed the day of your treatment. We request your insurance company to send the reimbursement check directly to you, usually within 30 days. If you have not received your reimbursement check after the allowed period, please call your insurance company, obtain a fax number, then call our office so that we can fax the claim directly to your insurance company.

How do I reach Dr. Bills if I’m having a problem?

During office hours – 467-8227. At home – 319-1071. Cell phone – 389-6007.
An answering machine, left on 24 hours a day, is checked periodically during off hours.