by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 16, 2014 | Blog, Dentistry, Endodontics
Like every other profession, dentistry is going through rapid change here in the early 21st century. Advances in technology, proliferation of the internet, changes to the healthcare system and better consumer awareness are all factors in the way dental services today are delivered to patients. Such is the case with general dentists and specialists (Endodontists) alike.
An endodontist is a dentist that specializes in root canals. Historically, there has been a strong partnership between a general dentist and the endodontist who was equipped to handle emergencies and cases that required the skills of a dental specialist. There has always been a strong bond between the general dentist and the endodontist, the general dentist likes to have the ability to call and refer a patient for a root canal, often times for an immediate appointment.
So the business model for a specialty office was to market your services to general dentists within a 3 mile radius of your office and wait for the phone to ring with referrals from general dentists. This model has worked very well for decades in dentistry. It would not be uncommon for an endodontic specialist to receive 100% of their revenue from general dentist referrals.
As mentioned above, times are indeed changing. The advent of rotary instrumentation began a trend of dental supply companies selling these files to general dentists and convincing them that they should no refer out root canals to specialists and instead perform these procedures in their own office. This greed on the part of the manufacturers has led to root canal treatment below the standard of care which has caused stress, pain and unnecessary discomfort to thousands of patients whose case should have been referred out from the beginning.
Additionally consumers are taking to the internet to search out their own solutions and dental specialists. So many patients now utilize corporate dentists or clinics for their primary dental care and when they need services beyond the scope or comfort level of a clinic, they seek out the specialist themselves. This change has brought about an increase of “self-referred” patients to the endodontist.
Lastly, recent changes to the healthcare system in the United States was intended to primarily affect medical treatment for patients, but it is slowly creeping into dentistry as well. The overall “dumbing down” of our system is causing some patients to expect that they should be entitled to specialized dental care for little or no cost to them. This is a disturbing trend, yet in the end it will cause patients who appreciate the special care to seek out those providers who can deliver that type of treatment.
Indeed times have changed and the typical endodontic office now sees about 80% of their revenue generated from direct referrals from general dentists. These relationships are all the more important so that the specialist and the general dentist are on the “same page” for the good of the patient.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 9, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Featured, Root Canal
Chances are that most adults know of root canal treatment, but may not know what it involves. Root canal therapy is an extremely effective way to repair cracked or decaying teeth and prevent tooth loss. Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group explains how this procedure can help you restore a bad tooth and why you shouldn’t be fearful of a root canal.
Gone are the days when root canal treatment was a major ordeal that left a patient in pain. With today’s methods and technology, many patients report minimal discomfort and compare it to having a filling done.
During the procedure, the infected pulp of the tooth is removed, the inside cleaned thoroughly, and the tooth refilled. This process restores the structure of the tooth. Any discomfort from the repair is mild and can be easily managed by using over the counter pain medication. As well, the materials used in the procedure have changed over the years. At one point in time, the material used to fill the roots was silver. Now it is gutta percha with antibacterial sealer, says Dr. Allen.
With time and experience, Endodontists have developed best practices to minimize complications, especially for patients who have severe symptoms or an unusual anatomy. We now use a rubber dam screen for all root canal procedures. This is to isolate the tooth so no bacteria from saliva can get in the tooth, as well as keep all instruments and disinfectants from falling into the mouth and possibly down the throat, Dr. Allen mentions.
Additionally, microscopes with optimal lighting are used to clean out the tooth roots more thoroughly, she states. All of these accumulated improvements equate to a better outcome, less risk of complications, improved comfort, and a great likelihood that your root canal treatment will be successful.
Once you’ve noticed a problem, it’s important to get treatment right away. Once the tooth has irreversible pulpitis or necrosis, the problem will not go away on its own, Dr. Allen says. Acting quickly improves your odds of a successful repair. For additional questions on root canal treatment or to schedule your appointment, contact Phoenix Endodontic Group today!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 2, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
A root canal treatment is a very effective way to save a damaged tooth, according to Jacqueline S. Allen, D.D.S., M.S. of Phoenix Endodontic Group. How do you know if you may need the procedure? The answer is sometimes very obvious!
Your tooth is composed of a hard shell (enamel), a soft inner material (pulp), many nerves and blood vessels, and the tooth’s root, which extends into the gums. Generally the tooth’s exterior protects the vulnerable insides from harm but occasionally a breach occurs.
A crack or chip, a cavity, dental disease, and decay can strike, allowing bacteria to invade the interior of the tooth. When this occurs, symptoms usually tell the tale. Temperature sensitivity, a pimple forming on the side of the tooth, pain when biting, swelling, throbbing, and waking up at night with tooth pain are all signs you may need a root canal, says Dr. Allen. You may not see visible changes, but chances are good that you’ll be experiencing the problem in other ways.
Occasionally a patient comes to an Endodontist with no outward symptoms but the damage is already significant. This is a great example of why seeing your family dentist for regular checkups is very important for early identification of trouble. By performing twice-yearly exams including bite-wing x-rays, your dentist should be able to see warning signs in their infancy and refer you to Dr. Allen’s office for treatment.
Many people have avoidance when it comes to tooth trouble, but this behavior can only make things worse. The tooth will not recover on its own once the decay has begun to destroy the tooth, and Pain, swelling, and possible loss of the tooth is the cost of delaying treatment, Dr. Allen states. The root canal procedure may need to be more extensive if decay is allowed to progress, so getting in quickly for treatment is really your best plan of attack.
If you’ve been suffering with tooth pain or other symptoms, call Phoenix Endodontic Group to schedule your appointment with Dr. Allen. Under her expert care, your tooth will be as good as new!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 23, 2014 | Blog, Endodontist
In 2012 and 2013, the Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation has hosted its Dental Mission of Mercy (AZMOM) event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, AZ. Due to the overwhelming success of these events, we are proud to announce our 2014 CADS AZMOM Event. On December 12th – 13th 2014 we will once again be conducting our clinic @ the State Fairgrounds.
We utilize 100 portable dental units and require over 1,500 volunteers to make this event occur. Our first two events changed the lives of so many people. 300 dentists, along with at least as many dental assistants and hundreds of dental hygienists along with about 600 lay Volunteers. Dental supply companies contributed supplies and materials which assisted us in treating 2,020 patients and provided $1.5 million in free dental care over the two day period. These events were the largest charitable dental clinics ever held in the State of Arizona.
The emphasis will again be on basic dental care such as fillings, extractions and cleanings. Limited lab work (i.e., stainless-steel crowns for children, treatment partials) will be offered. The program is unable to treat patients with specific medically-compromising conditions (e.g., extremely high blood pressure, severe disabilities).
Our CADS AZMOM event focuses on:
- Providing free access to dental care while placing a high priority on patients suffering from dental infections or pain;
- Raising public awareness of the increasing difficulty low-income adults and children face in accessing critical dental care; and
- Creating health care advocates via the hundreds of lay volunteers participating in the event
Arizona residents suffer from higher rates of dental disease and benefit less from proven preventative methods than other states. A recent survey revealed that 21% of Arizona adults and 31% of Arizona children have never had a dental check-up.
The good news is that most oral diseases are preventable. In Arizona, 5% of children ages 6 months through 2 years have had tooth decay. By the time children reach 11 to 13 years, over 65% have experienced tooth decay, and by the time adults reach age 45, more than 99% have had decay.
Additionally, Arizonans report one of their major barriers to receiving dental services relates to finances. While 24% of Arizonans lack medical insurance, over 44% of adults and 38% of children lack dental insurance.
In summary, more Arizonans have dental disease than found nationally, while many report difficulty accessing dental services. Efforts such as AZMOM, which has treated over 3,500 individuals (two years), are needed to improve the oral health for children and adults in this state.
To learn more about this important event or to volunteer, log onto http://www.azmom.org, https://www.facebook.com/cadsazmom or https://twitter.com/CADSAZMOM.
» Learn more about Arizona Dental Mission of Mercy and the Event
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 19, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Featured
Dental emergencies can happen in a split second, and can quickly result in lost teeth. Cracked teeth should send you running for a dental professional immediately since a crack can allow dangerous bacteria to invade, causing sensitivity, decay and tooth loss. How can you avoid cracking or fracturing your teeth? It’s simpler than you might think, according to Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group.
Protect Yourself
“Most cracked or broken teeth are the result of dental trauma, either recently or in the past and no treatment was done at that time,” Dr. Allen says. This includes damage from sports injuries, falls or accidents, or chewing on hard objects or foods. Athletes should ALWAYS use a mouthguard and see the dentist or Endodontist for any dental emergencies that may occur. Never chew on ice or hard objects, and avoid using your teeth to open packages. Falls and accidents are a bit more difficult to prevent, but if you are able to protect your face and mouth when falling, make the attempt to do so.
Routine Checkups
Dr. Allen explains, Dental restorations (fillings) that are 10 years or older should be looked at during a patient’s routine dental care. Fillings can break and chip and thereby expose the remaining tooth structure to potentially further break down. Age and location of prior dental work can play a role in damaged teeth which can lead to a dental emergency. To add to that, a routine dental checkup can identify small cracks that can be easily fixed, preventing them from developing into big problems down the road.
Keep Teeth Strong
The enamel of your teeth is a very hard substance, but one that can be eroded or damaged due to bad habits like soda drinking, eating sugary foods, brushing too hard, and chewing fingernails or ice. Brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride, floss regularly, and talk to your doctor about your calcium and vitamin D intake.
Many dental emergencies can be avoided by using caution and common sense. If you have cracked or fractured teeth already, Dr. Allen is here to help!
