by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Oct 4, 2023 | Blog
Preventing bad health outcomes is almost always cheaper – and less painful – than trying to repair damage. Nowhere is this more true than oral health.
October is when dental professionals observe Dental Hygiene Month. Dental hygienists specialize in providing preventive care during your regular oral health check-ups. They clean the surfaces of your teeth, removing plaque and tartar. They may also apply sealants or other fluoride treatments to protect your teeth from decay.
You can help your dental team preserve your oral health by following a few simple steps throughout your day. Taking time now to protect your teeth and gums can save you money (and your teeth!) later.
Save Your Natural Teeth With These Oral Health Tips
1. Visit your dentist for check-ups and cleaning at regular intervals. For some people, twice a year is plenty. Others need more frequent examinations. Talk to your dentist about how often to come in.
2. Brush twice a day, and floss daily. These two habits are the foundation of good oral health.
3. Stop smoking or do not start. Limit alcohol. Smoking can damage your gums. Alcohol can aggravate dry mouth, a condition that fuels tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Eat a healthy diet. Include several servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Good choices include carrots, apples, and berries. Regular consumption of dairy foods provides calcium, an important nutrient to strengthen your teeth.
5. Use a mouthguard for contact sports. Mouthguards are a must in football, basketball, baseball and other high-impact sports. You should also consider them in sports such as cycling and rock-climbing, where one mistake could result in your teeth suddenly hitting a hard surface.
6. See an endodontist for teeth-saving procedures. Endodontists specialize in oral health conditions threatening natural teeth, such as infection in your dental pulp or broken/fractured teeth. They rely on extensive education and advanced technology to save natural teeth with a minimum of pain.
“Our practice advises patients daily about the importance of oral health self-care,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, founder of Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Choices you make daily about your oral health can play a significant role in how your natural teeth serve you over your lifetime.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 18, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our September Team Spotlight features office administrator, Janeth Zazuta. Janeth manages the administrative tasks in our endodontic practice and helps create a warm and welcoming environment. She maintains a positive and peaceful atmosphere to help our patients feel comfortable. She is a valued team member at Phoenix Endodontic Group and we are thrilled share a little more about Janeth.
We had a Q&A with Janeth:
Full Name: Janeth Soto Zazuta
Job Title: Office Administrator
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: ? Keep a positive and peaceful atmosphere regardless of what the day brings.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Kindhearted, educational, giving.
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: Shamrock Farms, watching gallons of milk on a rolling belt (Boring!)
First Job: K-Mart
Do you have any hobbies?: Facelifting old furniture, Decorating
Favorite food: Italian/Pastas
Pet(s): Maltese/American Pitbull
Favorite book: The Walk Series
Favorite movie: La Bamba/Hatchi
Something on your bucket list: Travel and learn about other cultures.
Guilty pleasure: Alone time.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 6, 2023 | Blog, Dental Implants, Endodontist
Placing something artificial in your jaw can be intimidating. However, modern dental implant practice has been around for more than 50 years and is safe, health-enhancing, and life-changing.
If your endodontist recommends a dental implant to replace one or more natural teeth, understanding the process can help you better prepare. Here’s a brief summary.
Steps In The Dental Implant Process
Step 1: Evaluation and planning. Before the actual implant is placed, you’ll have an appointment where your endodontist performs a comprehensive examination. They will take X-rays or use technology like Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to get a three-dimensional image. They also review current medical conditions (such as diabetes) and develop a treatment plan.
Step 1a (as needed): Bone graft. If your jaw isn’t strong enough to support the implant, you may need a bone graft before the implant. This requires a separate appointment, with time in between, allowing the graft to heal.
Step 2: Pre-op preparation. Your endodontist will discuss preparations for the dental implant procedure. This includes whether you need antibiotics or should eat before your appointment.
Step 3: Natural tooth removal/dental implantation appointment. You will receive anesthesia (local or IV), ensuring the procedure is pain-free. Failing natural teeth are removed. Next, the endodontist places a titanium tooth root implant in the empty bone socket. They finish with stitching the gums above the implant.
Step 4: Osseointegration. After your dental implant is placed, the healing period lasts several months. As the bone in your jaw recovers, it grows around the implant – a process known as osseointegration. This results in the implant being solidly anchored in the jawbone.
Step 5: Placement of abutment and crown. The final step is placing the abutment, which sits atop the implant post and attaches to a crown. If you are missing multiple teeth, the abutment can also attach a set of overdentures, replacing an entire arch of natural teeth.
“Dental implants take time, even if the implant procedure only takes one appointment,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with Phoenix Endodontic Group. “We are happy to discuss step-by-step the dental implant process, so you feel 100 percent comfortable 100 percent of the time.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 13, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our August Team Spotlight features Suzie Salas. With a passion for precision and patient care, Suzie serves as a skilled Dental Assistant, bringing her expertise and compassion to every aspect of our practice. With a background in dentistry and a commitment to excellence, Suzie plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our patients’ experiences are comfortable and seamless. Her friendly demeanor and attention to detail create an environment where patients feel at ease, and her collaborative spirit enhances our cohesive team dynamic. Suzie’s dedication to her craft and her genuine concern for our patients’ well-being truly embody the spirit of quality care that defines Phoenix Endodontic Group.
We had a Q&A with Suzie: 
Full Name: Suzanna Salas
Job Title: Dental Assistant
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: Assisting doctor, educating patients on root canal treatments.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Caring, Efficient, Dedicated.
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: I was a waitress/bartender at a Mexican restaurant.
First Job: Burger King
Do you have any hobbies?: Reading, yard work, playing with grandson
Favorite food: Italian
Pet(s): Boxer: Banner; Mixed Terrier: Coco
Favorite book: Anything by James Patterson
Favorite movie: Mama Mia
Something on your bucket list: Travel
Guilty pleasure: Watching Dr. Pimple Popper
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 7, 2023 | Blog, Endodontist, GentalWave, Root Canal
Phoenix Endodontics Group treats patients using the most up-to-date technology. We do this because advances inevitably bring a better experience and better post-treatment outcomes for patients.
If you come to us for a root canal, we are likely to suggest the GentleWave Procedure. Let’s look at why we prefer GentleWave technology over traditional approaches to root canals.
GentleWave – Best Current Root Canal Therapy?
1. The GentleWave Procedure leverages fluid dynamics to flush root canals clean. A traditional root canal relies on cleaning with files and other special instruments. If a spot is missed, or a canal is hard to find, some infection can remain. GentleWave’s cascade of tiny imploding bubbles more completely removes biofilm, bacterial infection, and other material from the tooth.
2. The GentleWave Procedure reaches and shakes loose debris that even skilled endodontists miss. For complex root canal systems, treatment using the GentleWave Procedure provides extra assurance that all surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected.
3. The GentleWave Procedure is less invasive than traditional root canal therapy. For those with dental anxiety, root canals can be challenging. With GentleWave, there is less scraping and tapping in the canals and less pain, resulting in a less stressful experience.
4. The GentleWave Procedure requires less time for treatment and recovery. Our patients are pleased that their root canal therapy can be completed in one session most of the time! (They will still need to promptly see their general dentist for a crown to complete restoration.) They are also happy to find they are able to return to their usual activities more quickly than after a traditional root canal, too.
“Our implementation of the GentleWave Procedure for root canal therapy has been a win-win for our practice and our patients,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist at Phoenix Endodontic Group. “We are able to provide a more comprehensive, less invasive treatment, and patients benefit from faster treatment and reduced recovery times with less pain and anxiety.”
