What Happens During an Endodontic Consultation

Most people have never been to an endodontist before. And the unknown makes things scarier than they need to be.

I get it. You’re probably here because your dentist said something like, “I’m going to refer you to a specialist.” Maybe they mentioned a root canal. Maybe they weren’t sure what’s going on with your tooth. Either way, you’re now sitting at home googling what an endodontist actually does — and I’m guessing your anxiety is climbing.

So let me walk you through exactly what happens when you come to our Torrance office for a consultation. No surprises. No mystery. Just a simple step-by-step rundown so you know what to expect.

Step 1: Paperwork and Medical History (About 10 Minutes)

When you walk through our door, we’re going to hand you some forms. I know — nobody loves paperwork. But this part actually matters a lot.

We’ll ask about:

• Your medical history — medications you take, allergies, past surgeries, health conditions like diabetes or heart disease
• Your dental history — previous root canals, crowns, injuries to your teeth
• Your symptoms — when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, where exactly it hurts

Here’s a tip: try to be as specific as you can about your symptoms. “It hurts when I drink cold water and the pain sticks around for a minute” is way more helpful than “my tooth hurts sometimes.” The details help me figure out what’s going on faster.

If your dentist sent over X-rays or notes, our team will already have those pulled up before you sit down. That saves time and helps me see the bigger picture right from the start.

Step 2: The Clinical Exam

This is where I put on my detective hat. A good diagnosis is really about ruling things out, one by one. Your tooth pain could come from a few different sources — an infection, a crack, gum disease, or even something that has nothing to do with your teeth at all (like a sinus issue or nerve condition).

Here’s what I’ll check:

Cold test

I’ll place a small cold stimulus on your teeth — one at a time. I’m looking at how each tooth responds. A healthy tooth feels the cold and then the sensation fades quickly. A tooth with nerve damage might give you a sharp zing that lingers. Or it might not respond at all, which can mean the nerve is already dead.

It sounds uncomfortable, but it lasts only a second or two per tooth.

Bite test

I’ll ask you to bite down on a small stick or tool. This tells me if there’s inflammation around the root or if there might be a crack. If biting in a certain direction triggers pain, that’s a big clue.

Probing

Using a small instrument, I’ll measure the gum pockets around the tooth. Deep pockets in one specific spot can point to a crack or a draining infection. This part feels similar to what your regular dentist does during a cleaning.

Step 3: Imaging — X-Rays and CBCT 3D Scans

After the hands-on exam, we take pictures. And this is where our Torrance office is a little different from what you might be used to.

We have CBCT 3D imaging on-site. CBCT stands for cone-beam computed tomography. It’s basically a 3D X-ray of your tooth and the bone around it. A standard dental X-ray gives a flat, two-dimensional image — like looking at a shadow on a wall. CBCT gives me a full three-dimensional view that I can rotate, slice, and zoom into.

Why does that matter? Because teeth are three-dimensional objects. A regular X-ray might show a tooth that looks fine, while a CBCT scan reveals a hidden crack, an extra canal, or an infection tucked behind a root that was invisible on the flat image.

I’ve had patients come in after months of pain that nobody could figure out. One CBCT scan, and there it is — a tiny fracture line or a missed canal from a previous root canal. It changes the whole game.

The scan itself takes about 20 seconds. You stand still, the machine rotates around your head, and that’s it. No pain. Way less radiation than a medical CT scan.

Step 4: The Discussion — Showing You What I See

This is honestly my favorite part. I pull up your images on a screen — your X-rays, your CBCT scan — and I show you exactly what’s going on. I’ll point to things. I’ll explain what’s normal and what isn’t.

I believe you deserve to see what I see. A lot of patients tell me this is the first time anyone has actually shown them their own tooth in detail and explained the problem in plain language.

If you have an infection, I’ll show you where it is. If there’s a crack, I’ll show you how far it goes. If everything looks healthy, I’ll tell you that too.

I’m not going to use a bunch of jargon. If you have questions, ask them. There are no dumb questions in my office. Some South Bay patients come in barely knowing what an endodontist is, and they leave fully understanding their diagnosis. That’s the goal.

Step 5: The Treatment Plan — Options, Timeline, and Cost

Once we’ve gone through the diagnosis together, we talk about what to do next. I lay out your options clearly.

For a lot of patients, the plan is straightforward — you need a root canal, and here’s what that involves. But sometimes there are choices to weigh:

• Root canal treatment to save the tooth
• Retreatment if a previous root canal didn’t work
• Apicoectomy (a minor surgical procedure) if retreatment isn’t the right fit
• Extraction if the tooth can’t be saved — and I’ll be honest with you when that’s the case

We talk about timeline too. Many root canals can be done in a single visit, often on the same day as your consultation if you want. Others need to be scheduled separately.

And then there’s the money conversation. I know cost is on your mind — it’s on everyone’s mind. Our treatment coordinator will go over:

• The total fee for your procedure
• What your insurance covers (if you have dental insurance)
• Your out-of-pocket cost
• Payment options

We discuss all of this before any treatment starts. No hidden fees. No surprises when you check out.

How Is This Different From a Regular Dentist Visit?

Good question. There are a few real differences.

The equipment. We use a surgical operating microscope for every procedure. That’s 25x magnification — way beyond the loupes your dentist wears. Our CBCT scanner gives three-dimensional views that most general dental offices don’t have.

The focus. Your general dentist does a little bit of everything — cleanings, fillings, crowns, cosmetics. We do one thing: diagnose and treat problems inside teeth. That’s it. All day, every day. That focus means we’ve seen just about every weird case there is.

The diagnostic depth. A general dentist might look at your tooth and say, “I think you need a root canal.” An endodontist will tell you exactly why — and show you the evidence. Sometimes the answer is different from what everyone expected.

Common Questions

Does the consultation hurt?

The exam involves some brief tests that might cause a moment of discomfort, but nothing that lasts. Most patients are surprised by how easy it is. You won’t need numbing for the consultation itself.

How long does it take?

Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour for a consultation. That includes paperwork, the exam, imaging, and the discussion. If we end up doing treatment the same day, it’ll be longer — but we always ask before starting anything.

Do I need a referral?

Nope. You can call us directly and schedule. Many patients do get referred by their dentist, and that’s great because we get their notes and X-rays ahead of time. But a referral is not required. If your tooth hurts and you want a specialist to take a look, just call.

What does a consultation cost?

The fee varies a little depending on what imaging is needed. When you call to book, our front desk team will give you a clear estimate. Most dental insurance plans cover endodontic consultations. We’ll verify your benefits before your visit whenever possible.

What if I don’t end up needing treatment?

This happens more often than you’d think — and it’s actually a good thing.

When a Consultation Doesn’t Lead to Treatment

Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: sometimes the best outcome of a consultation is finding out you don’t need a root canal.

I’ve had patients referred in for a root canal, and after the exam and CBCT scan, the real culprit turns out to be something else entirely. Clenching and grinding, a sinus problem, muscle pain in the jaw — these things can mimic tooth infections in a very convincing way.

When that happens, I’ll explain what I think is actually going on and point you in the right direction. Maybe that means going back to your dentist for a different type of treatment. Maybe it means seeing another specialist.

Either way, you leave with answers. And knowing what’s not wrong is just as valuable as knowing what is.

A patient came to our Torrance office a few months ago, convinced she needed a root canal on a back molar. Her dentist thought so too. But when I tested the tooth, the nerve responded normally. The CBCT scan was clean — no infection, no cracks. Turns out her pain was coming from the jaw muscles on that side. She left without needing any treatment from me, and a few weeks of physical therapy cleared it right up.

That’s the kind of thing a specialist consultation can sort out.

Ready to Schedule?

If you’ve been putting off seeing an endodontist because you didn’t know what to expect, I hope this helped. Our Torrance office sees patients from across the South Bay — Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Carson, Gardena, and beyond.

We’ll take good care of you. And if you’re nervous, just tell us. We hear that every single day, and we’re really good at helping people feel comfortable.

Call (310) 378-8342 to schedule your consultation at Phan Endodontic Partners.