6653 MAIN STREET • WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221 TELEFPHONE: 716.626.9525 • FAX: 716.626.9547 GENERAL EMAIL: [email protected] V I S I T U S O N T H E W E B AT W W W . W R L A N G - D D S . C O M How to Find Us Conveniently located in Williamsville at 6653 Main Street near Transit Road, our office is open Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, on Thursday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. We are closed on Wednesdays. Visit our website at wrlang-dds.com where you’ll find a wealth of information about Endodontic Treatment and our practice in general. You’ll also be able to obtain detailed driving directions from your home to our office. M A I N ST R E E T Dr. William R. Lang 6653 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 TRANSIT ROAD YOUNGS ROAD S H E R I DA N D R I V E WEHRLE DRIVE Referral Information Tooth or Area in Question/Treatment Details Patient Name Referred by: Dr. Your Appointment is on: DAY DATE at TIME am pm About the Office Course of treatment You have been referred to my office by your dentist to receive root canal therapy, more precisely known as Endodontics. One of the dental specialities recognized by the American Dental Association, it is the only type of treatment performed in my office. Treatment of teeth with injured pulp usually consists of an examination to determine the type of therapy needed, removal of the injured pulp, thorough cleaning and shaping of the root canal, and complete filling of the canal system. My staff and I are dedicated to the highest standards of patient care and treatment excellence in all phases of surgical and nonsurgical endodontics. We look forward to making your treatment efficient, effective and comfortable. Endodontic therapy may require one or more visits depending on the type of treatment required. Endodontic therapy is seldom a painful experience. Much depends on the condition of the tooth, the degree and duration of involvement, and the individual’s own body reactions. As we have the means to control pain and discomfort, you need not be apprehensive or nervous. We shall make every effort to provide for your comfort and well-being. Scheduling For you convenience, we see patients by appointment only. We make every effort to accommodate our patients on a timely basis, but as unscheduled emergency visits can sometimes delay regular appointments, we appreciate your understanding. Before Your First Visit If you have been advised by your physician to use antibiotic premedication because of mitral valve prolapse (mvp), heart murmur, hip or cardiac prosthesis, or if you have rheumatic heart disease, please call our office for instructions before the day of your scheduled visit. All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. What is Endodontics Endodontics is a highly specialized type of dental care developed to remove infected and/or damaged “nerve” tissue form the root canal system of a tooth. The purpose of the treatment is to retain teeth that would otherwise have to be extracted due to extensive decay, fracture, abscess, or periodontal disease. Retaining a tooth by endodontic treatment is usually better, and, less expensive than extraction and replacement with a prosthetic appliance. As endodontic therapy is concerned with removing ONLY the injured pulp from the root canal, the root will continue to function normally because the supporting tissues remain intact. It is advisable to remove an injured pulp because it may become infected or act as an irritant to the tissues surround the tooth. Prognosis of Root Canal Therapy No tooth will be treated unless there is an excellent chance that tooth will remain a healthy member of the dental arch. While there is no absolute certainty of healing, I expect it to occur in approximately 95% of all cases. On rare occasions, the chances of success may fall below this expectancy, or your tooth may not be amenable to endodontic treatment at all. If so, you will be informed of this fact at the time of consultation, or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. There are times when a minor surgical procedure may be indicated to preserve your tooth. This will depend on the nature of the problem existing prior to treatment, as well as the response of the involved tissues after root canal therapy. Should the need for surgery become evident before, during, or after root canal treatment, you will be so informed. Post-Operative Care When your treatment has been completed, you will be referred back to your own dentist who may provide a permanent restoration for your tooth. This should be done within a few weeks of the completion of root canal therapy. Your dentist can be decide from his/her considerable experience what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. Infection Control My practice exceeds the highest standards of infection control advocated by the American Dental Association, the CDC and OSHA. We employ the latest barrier techniques and autoclave sterilization to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination. Our priority is always to provide state-of-the-art endodontic care while maintaining a strict operating protocol. Financial Policies Important considerations with respect to our financial policies follow below: • The fee for endodontic therapy is determined by tooth location, number of roots, and degree of difficulty the treatment presents. • Fees quoted at the initial appointment will not increase; however, broken appointments may invoke an additional fee. • When a surgical procedure is indicated before, or becomes evident during or after therapy, a separate fee for such surgery will be charged. • Consultation fees are payable at the time of consultation. • Fees are payable at the time of therapy. If, for some reason, this is not possible, alternative arrangements can be made. Please feel free to discuss this with our receptionist or office manager. • We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. • The fee does not include the cost of permanent restoration to be performed by your dentist after completion of root canal therapy. • Please give at least 24 hours notice of change of appointment if cancellation is absolutely necessary. Failure to do so might cause you to incur an additional charge.