by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 27, 2022 | Blog, Business, GentalWave, Root Canal
Through Innovative Technology, Phoenix Endodontic Group to Provide Patients with a Simpler and Less Invasive Option for Root Canal Therapy
Phoenix Endodontic Group, a leading endodontic practice in Phoenix, AZ., announced today its partnership with Sonendo, Inc., a leading dental technology company, to offer the revolutionary GentleWave® System with CleanFlow™ Technology, a less invasive and less painful alternative to traditional root canal therapy.
The GentleWave Procedure has redefined standard root canal treatment with a minimally invasive process that preserves tooth structure and promotes early healing. With a goal to save patients’ natural teeth, the system is designed to treat tooth decay by cleaning and disinfecting the microscopic spaces within teeth without the need to remove tooth structure. And with the addition of the CleanFlow procedure instrument, the GentleWave System now offers an even better patient experience and simpler workflow. According to an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by Sonendo, 99.5% of patients had no pain during a root canal procedure utilizing the GentleWave System with the addition of CleanFlow Technology.
“We are thrilled to introduce the GentleWave System with CleanFlow Technology into our practice and are confident that this marks an important milestone in the transformation of traditional root canal treatment,” said Dr. Jacqueline Allen. “We wholeheartedly support this trusted technology, which allows our patients to experience less pain and heightened comfort.”
The GentleWave System uses advanced fluid dynamics, broad-spectrum acoustic energy and accelerated chemistry to deliver an alternative to conventional root canal therapy – a procedure that is traditionally performed with a series of files used to scrape the inside of the tooth, often causing post-operative pain and discomfort for patients and requiring multiple visits to the doctor. With the GentleWave System, patients experience significantly less pain overall and more than 90% of procedures can be completed in a single visit.
“Our goal is to revolutionize the standard of care for root canal therapy. As more doctors use the GentleWave System, more patients can experience less invasive treatment,” said Joanne Lindberg, Vice President of Sales with Sonendo. “We are thrilled to see Phoenix Endodontic Group remaining at the forefront of embracing innovative technology, thereby enabling an enhanced patient experience and streamlined workflow.”
To book your appointment today, contact the Phoenix office via the website: phoenixendontist.com
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 21, 2022 | Blog, Dental Implants, Dentistry, Phoenix Endodontic Group
If you have a failing tooth (or teeth), you may be wondering if a dental implant might be a workable solution for you. Implants take the place of your natural teeth. They are anchored to your jawbone, and topped with an artificial tooth. Dental implants have a similar success rate to root canals, when performed by a dentist or endodontist with significant experience doing them. They are not, however, the ideal solution for every patient.
Let’s take a look at some factors to consider before getting a dental implant.
What Important Factors Should I Consider Before Getting A Dental Implant?
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Are there less invasive options that could save the tooth? In some cases, a tooth that is threatened by infection, decay, or advanced gum disease may be able to be saved. Root canal treatment and periodontal (gum) procedures may be solid alternatives; your dental provider will be able to discuss their potential to help you.
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Have I discussed my health conditions with my provider? The endodontist or implantologist who performs your dental implant will conduct a thorough examination, and take images of your teeth. They will also ask about your medical history. You should discuss any serious conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. You should also let your provider know if you’re a heavy smoker or if you’ve had radiation therapy to your head or neck.
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Will I need additional procedures to prepare for my dental implant? Depending on your individual circumstances, you may need a sinus lift, tooth extraction or removal of parts of your damaged tooth, bone augmentation, gum treatment, or other procedures to prepare for your dental implant. Your provider can explain the need for each procedure and how it fits in your treatment timeline.
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Will I have to commit to multiple appointments over a number of months to complete the dental implant process? Depending on the approach that your provider recommends, you may need to come to a number of appointments to plan, prepare for, and undergo all the procedures that complete your dental implant. Discuss any scheduling constraints with your dental professional and their staff.
“To ensure that a dental implant is the right approach to improve your oral health, our staff will discuss all relevant factors impacting the process before treatment begins,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “This ensures your treatment team has all the information needed to provide excellent treatment. It also gives peace of mind that you are making the right choice.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 19, 2022 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
Patients often ask our staff at Phoenix Endodontic Group questions about their root canals looking to better understand what they will experience. Many people are concerned about the severity of the procedure or how much recovery time to plan for.
The good news is that many root canals have a quick recovery time – often just a week of special post-operative care. Many factors can impact your individual outcome, though, so it is important to understand the circumstances that brought you to the endodontist in the first place. Here’s a short list of some situations that can make the root canal procedure itself or your post-op period require extra care to ensure the root canal is successful.
What Makes A Root Canal A Serious Procedure?
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When there is pre-existing infection or tooth damage. A crack or chip can let infection deep into a tooth’s pulp. Extensive tooth decay can also reach the pulp. If the infection causes an abscess, antibiotics may be needed first to eliminate the bacteria so the root canal can safely seal the roots so infection does not happen again.
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When the tooth involved has multiple roots. The level of complexity involved with cleaning and sealing canals during a root canal increases with the number of canals in the tooth receiving treatment. Molars have up to four canals; premolars have one or two; canines and incisors have just a single canal.
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When you don’t contact your endodontist if you have aftercare problems. An ordinary root canal can escalate quickly to challenging if you do not promptly call your endodontist when you experience pain that is severe or rapidly increasing; if the temporary filling placed in the tooth comes out; or if you can see swelling inside or outside of your mouth.
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When you don’t return for your permanent crown as scheduled. The tooth being treated with a root canal should receive a permanent crown about two weeks after the procedure. Crowns provide structural support, protect the tooth from infection, and reduce nerve sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages. Not getting a permanent crown leaves your tooth vulnerable to further damage or infection and possible the failure of the root canal.
“The seriousness of each root canal is impacted by a patient’s individual oral health,” says Dr. Allen, of the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “We are happy to explain our assessment of your situation and provide tips for making your root canal successful and stress-free, so it can help you hold on to your natural tooth for the rest of your life.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jul 20, 2022 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
Popular culture often associates lasers with science-fiction weapons or real-life space exploration, but the technology can also be used inside the human body. At the Phoenix Endodontic Group, our endodontists frequently use laser-based tools to assist in root canal treatments.
The practice uses laser technology manufactured by Fontana (SSP and SWEEPS®) and Biolase (Waterlase) at its Phoenix office location. Both brands of tools provide extra assistance in the critical phases of cleaning and disinfecting tooth roots during a root canal treatment.
Lasers Bring Benefits During A Root Canal Treatment
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The laser can provide initial cleaning in the coronal (crown) area of the tooth. An endodontist will begin a root canal by creating an opening in the crown. The laser can be used in this area of the tooth to remove calcifications and biological debris.
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The laser can assist cleaning of the root canals. After a canal has been prepared using files or other tools, the endodontist may flood the canal with water and activate the laser while withdrawing the water from the space. The laser creates vapor bubbles, which collapse to form microbubbles and a pressure wave; these phenomena are what clean biofilm from the canals.
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Laser treatment can also help disinfect the canals as they are being irrigated. Once the endodontist shapes the canals with their files, they will irrigate them with disinfecting liquids. Lasers can be used at this point to augment the disinfection process, with the pressure wave created by the vapor bubbles pushing the disinfectant deep into the canal recesses and generally making the process more effective than the traditional disinfecting step by itself.
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Finally, lasers can be used to remove the chemical disinfectants prior to filling the canals. After the canals have been cleansed, shaped and disinfected, the laser tool can be used to remove the disinfecting liquid in the canals by activating it for about 30 seconds to vaporize any remaining liquid.
According to Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices at the Phoenix Endodontic Group, “One significant advantage to using lasers during root canals is that they can provide a more thorough removal of bacteria, debris and other materials without the risk of apical (tooth root area) extrusion.” She continues, “We are happy to explain to patients how we use Fontana and Biolase laser technology to enhance the safety and effectiveness of their root canal treatments.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 22, 2022 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
Fixing a cracked tooth can be like figuring out the damage after a car accident. If you don’t have a professional check things out, what looks like a surface dent can actually turn out to be really serious. Since dental bone does not behave like other types of bone and cannot knit itself back together, a chip or a crack to the tooth is likely to get worse over time.
In the case of a cracked tooth, your repair expert is an endodontist. Endodontists are experts in saving natural teeth. They frequently see clients with a cracked tooth, and can use their dental specialty training to determine if additional intervention such as a root canal is needed before placing a crown on the tooth.
When Does A Cracked Tooth Need A Root Canal Before A Crown?
The main job of a dental crown is to provide structural support by acting as the new outer surface of a tooth. Before a crown is cemented into place, your endodontist will want to make sure the natural tooth underneath the crown is as healthy as possible. If there is any injury or infection in a tooth’s nerve pulp, a root canal can provide a healthy tooth underneath.
With a crack deep enough to damage the root pulp, a root canal will be needed to prevent further difficulty, possibly extraction. It can be difficult to tell from symptoms alone if you need a root canal before you get a crown placed on your cracked tooth. Some cracked teeth that need a root canal before the crown hurt a lot; some do not. Some teeth with large cracks do not have root/nerve damage, but some teeth with much smaller cracks may have infected nerve pulp that must be removed via a root canal.
It’s important to see your endodontist right away because there are some types of cracked tooth injuries that cannot be remedied with a root canal and a crown. If the crack in the tooth extends below the gum line, it’s highly likely that the tooth will need to be extracted.
“It’s vital to have an endodontist perform a careful evaluation of a cracked tooth – what you can see on the surface may not be an accurate picture of the entire situation,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our office can perform the diagnostic procedures needed to determine if a root canal is called for before a crown is placed on the tooth.”
