by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jul 13, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Because a root canal is a procedure that may involve treatment by a dental specialist, it is understandable that dental patients might want to recognize the symptoms that indicate if they need this procedure. Before discussing the symptoms, however, it’s important to know what a root canal is.
Beneath the enamel and dentin layers of our teeth lies a chamber filled with pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. This canal can become inflamed or infected due to deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or because the tooth is injured. An endodontist cleans out the root canal during treatment and fills it with a sealant. A crown or other protective restoration is usually the final step to treat the tooth.
Dr. Allenof the Phoenix Endodontic Group advises that symptoms indicating a root canal is necessary are quite varied. “There are no typical symptoms associated with root canal disease,” she says. “When there are symptoms, they can range from temperature (hot or cold) sensitivity to biting pressure to spontaneous pain. At times, there are no symptoms associated with root canal disease.”
Dr. Allen clarified that the sensitivity to hot or cold in a tooth could persist after the stimulus is removed. Also, other significant symptoms indicating infection in a tooth’s roots can include the presence of a recurring pimple on the gums or a darkening of the tooth’s appearance.
Dr. Allen added that, because so often there are no symptoms indicating a root canal is needed, it is critical to have regular dental checkups, so that your general dentist can look for hidden signs of infection or inflammation. “If a diseased tooth doesn’t receive a root canal treatment, the patient could develop pain and infection, and without treatment, they could eventually lose the tooth,” she says.
For more information on root canals contact Phoenix Endodontic Group at 602-748-4190.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 9, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
While today’s root canals have an extremely high success rate and have very low levels of discomfort, there are things you can do to lessen the likelihood that you will ever need to be treated by an endodontist and have a root canal. Dr. Allen, an endodontist at Phoenix Endondontic Group, recently shared three tips that can help keep your teeth healthy and avoid the need for a root canal.
How to prevent a root canal
- Brush and floss daily. Your oral health regimen is your best line of defense against tooth decay, which can fuel infection inside your tooth and cause a root canal treatment to be needed.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Dr. Allen noted that a significant advantage of visiting a general dentist for a checkup is the comprehensive examination that is conducted. The images taken of your teeth via X-ray or radiograph can show hidden infection or damage to your teeth, and the prophylactic cleaning helps reduce plaque, which reduces the chance of a tooth becoming infected.
- Protect your teeth from dental injuries. One common route to the need for a root canal is for a tooth to become cracked or chipped, then infected. Wear a mouth guard if you play contact sports, use a night mouth guard while sleeping if you experience bruxism (teeth grinding), and use care when eating hard or crunchy foods.
Dr. Allen concluded, “Because root canal therapy can be necessary for a host of reasons, there sometimes is no way to prevent one. However, regular checkups and radiographs at your general dentist’s office can catch some of those reasons, like decay or cracks, before they become an issue.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 2, 2015 | Apicoectomy, Blog, Endodontics
Although modern dentistry offers amazing artificial tooth restoration options, nothing is as good as a functional natural tooth. Your endodontist may recommend you have a surgical procedure known as an apicoectomy to save your natural tooth if you’ve had a root canal treatment that hasn’t been entirely successful.
Since an apicoectomy differs from a standard root canal treatment, it helps to know what to expect. Here are a few quick facts about the surgery and its impact on your oral health.
Having an Apicoectomy: What You Need To Know
- What it is: An apicoectomy is surgery on the end of your tooth root (also known as the apex). The infected tooth root is removed and a small filling placed to prevent further problems. Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group explains that during an apicoectomy, “Your endodontist will make an incision on your gum tissue to move it out of the way temporarily. Then they will perform microsurgery on the end of the roots and put the gum tissue back into place.”
- Why it is needed: You may need an apicoectomy because the tooth that received a root canal treatment has complex roots. The surgery may also need to be performed because the tooth in question has a crown or a bridge and retreatment of the root would require the cutting through the restoration.
- Preparation for the procedure: Before your apicoectomy, your endodontist will take X-rays of the tooth and surrounding bone. You may be given an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a medicine to reduce inflammation, and/or antibiotics to get your mouth in the best possible condition for the surgery.
- Post-apicoectomy recovery: For the first 12 hours, you’ll want to apply ice packs to the side of the face near the affected area – 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Avoid eating crunchy or hard foods for the first few days. Dr. Allen advises, “There is minimal discomfort after apical surgery, but there can be some swelling. That can be minimized with ice packs.” You should recover from the procedure within two weeks. Eventually, the bone heals around the end of the root.
Dr. Allen concludes, “Apicoectomies give patients with tooth root infections another chance to save their tooth. It is the most biologic and cost-effective option for maintaining your oral health.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 25, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Stress, TMJ
The economic upheavals of the past 10 years have been difficult for many of us. One surprising aspect of this situation is the mounting evidence that financial challenges (as well as other types of intense stressors) can also impact your oral health.
Stress affects the entire body, making no exceptions for your mouth. Dr. Jacqueline Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group explains that there are several oral health conditions that can be caused or exacerbated by periods of high stress.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, happens when a patient habitually clenches his or her jaw or grinds their teeth together. Often, this happens when a patient is sleeping. Common symptoms of bruxism include a tender jaw muscle, headaches, earaches, and the tips of the teeth appearing flat. Your dentist will be able to tell by looking at the condition of your teeth if you are grinding them.
Stress is a major cause of bruxism. Dr. Allen notes that if bruxism is left untreated, your teeth can become cracked and an infection may occur, which could result in the need for a root canal or other endodontic treatment. If you have this condition, your dentist may recommend the use of a custom-made night mouth guard, which is often effective in preventing additional damage to your teeth.
Another stress-influenced oral health condition is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, an overuse injury that is related to a frequently clenched jaw. As with bruxism, you may have a headache or earache, or you may experience popping or clicking in your jaw. Treatments include wearing a night mouth guard, practicing relaxation techniques, taking anti-anxiety medications, or having surgery on your jaw joint if the condition is serious enough.
Dr. Allen says that periodontal (gum) disease also has a stress-related component. Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may be involved, and those under extreme stress often neglect good oral health habits. Symptoms can include swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath and loosening teeth. Treatments include scaling and root planing the teeth and gum surgery.
For all three of these oral health challenges, one key to successful treatment is to lower your overall stress levels. Eat a healthy diet, make time for exercise, and explore counseling, relaxation techniques or lifestyle changes to reduce or eliminate troublesome stressors.
Dr. Allen says, “Keeping your stress at optimal levels is key to reducing its impact on your oral health.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 18, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
A root canal is a dental procedure done in order to save a tooth that has become decayed or infected. While some discomfort is possible after a root canal, newer materials, better magnification and advanced tools and techniques have led to better treatment outcomes and less discomfort. Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group recently shared some tips designed to make your post-treatment recovery period as pleasant as possible.
- Know what to expect: Often, on the first day after a root canal procedure, you may experience some minor gum discomfort stemming from the rubber dam used to isolate the tooth undergoing the procedure. Also, the tooth being treated may itself be a little sensitive. In both cases, this discomfort can usually be easily controlled with an over-the-counter analgesic.
- Post-treatment considerations: It can be useful (not to mention reassuring) to understand how the healing process typically unfolds after a root canal A study conducted in 2008 noted that only about 8 percent of patients experienced a “flare-up” after their root canal, which was defined as development of discomfort or swelling after a scheduled root canal appointment that necessitated an unscheduled dental visit for attention.
- Know how to care for your teeth post-treatment: Eat gently and avoid crunchy foods until your tooth is completely rebuilt (more on that in a moment). Continue to brush and floss, but not so vigorously that the root canal’s temporary filling is compromised.
- Communicate with your endodontist: Contact your endodontist right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: a visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; an allergic reaction to medication that involves a rash, hives or itching; a return of the original symptoms in the tooth; or if your bite feels uneven.
A root canal is just the first step in saving your tooth. Discuss with your endodontist which final restoration option will be used, and make sure you’re clear about the timeline for returning to finish your treatment.
Dr. Allen says, “Your endodontist is your partner in minimizing your discomfort after your root canal, and in ensuring your treatment is ultimately successful.”
