Blog Archives - Arizona Root Canal Experts

What Is An IV Sedation Root Canal?

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Apr 8, 2024 | Blog, Root Canal

Are you one of those people who feels a little anxious about having to undergo a root canal procedure? We can help. Our practice offers IV sedation as a way to manage the anxiety that comes with having to have a root canal. IV Sedation helps issues with discomfort, or for patients with dental anxiety. It is also useful when we work on numerous teeth or complex tooth roots.

Using IV sedation for root canals allows patients to receive care with relative ease and permits our practitioners to provide care in a relaxed, focused environment.

Here we answer a few common questions relating to IV sedation dentistry.

How is IV sedation different from local anesthesia?

During most root canals, patients receive local anesthesia injected in the gum near the tooth to be worked upon. The patient cannot feel discomfort around this area, but is fully conscious. IV sedation is a method of delivering anesthesia intravenously and relaxes the entire body.

Who delivers IV sedation at your practice during root canals?

Phoenix Endodontic Group contracts with a licensed dental anesthesiologist to provide and monitor IV sedation services.

What might I experience during my IV sedation root canal?

Sedation is delivered to the degree most appropriate for your situation. Most patients experience a light to moderate level of sedation during root canal therapy.

Light IV sedation makes you feel relaxed. Moderate IV sedation may make you feel drowsy; later on, you may not clearly remember your procedure. Heavy IV sedation does not make you unconscious, but most patients fall asleep and remember nothing about their experience.

How do I prepare for an IV sedation root canal?

If you’re having a root canal with IV sedation, our staff will discuss your treatment plan during your initial consultation. Be sure to tell us about medications you are taking (including over-the-counter) or systemic health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Are there any after-care instructions specifically for root canal patients who receive IV sedation?

After the procedure, you will need a trusted driver to take you home. You may resume most normal activities 24 hours after your IV sedation root canal.

In addition to its use during root canal therapy, our practice also utilizes IV sedation during the placement of dental implants and in conjunction with emergency dental services for broken or knocked-out teeth.

“At Phoenix Endodontic Group, we use all tools at our disposal to provide quality dental care in a calming, healing environment,” says endodontist Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen. “We’re happy to discuss our protocols for IV sedation dentistry and whether it is the right choice for your root canal.”

Team Spotlight: Dr. Jacqueline Allen

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 21, 2024 | Blog, Team Spotlight

At Phoenix Endodontic Group, excellence in patient care is not just a commitment but a way of life. Dr. Jacqueline “Jacque” Allen embodies this spirit with her exceptional skills and compassionate approach. As the founding endodontist of Phoenix Endodontic Group, Dr. Allen brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every case she handles. With a background rooted in dental care and a passion for endodontics, she consistently strives to alleviate patients’ pain and restore their oral health with precision and care.

We had a Q&A with Dr. Allen:

Full Name: Jacqueline “Jacque” Allen, D.D.S., M.S.

Job Title: Endodontist

Educational Background:

University of Missouri – Kansas City, Doctor of Dental Surgery

University of Minnesota, Master of Science, Endodontics

First job in healthcare: Dental hygienist in Ames, Iowa

Why you became an endodontist: I saw endodontics as a field where I could have an immediate impact, getting people out of pain.

Hobbies: Gardening, cooking, travel

Favorite food: American BBQ

Favorite book: Grimms’ Fairy Tales

Favorite movie: French Kiss

Bucket list: Visit Fiji and its islands

Guilty pleasure: Chocolate, training to be a sommelier

Are Dental Implants Worth The Investment?

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 1, 2024 | Blog, Dental Implants

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dental-implant-phoenix-endodontist When making a major investment, it’s always wise to do some research. No one wants to commit funds to something not a trusted, proven solution – especially when facing a painful dental condition demanding attention.

Dental implants financially benefit recipients in many ways. Some of the financial benefits are clear, such as a long-lasting return on your investment in preserving your smile. While more obvious benefits appear focused on goals such as improved health, when you consider how a healthier mouth contributes to your fiscal wellbeing over the years, you begin to realize the investment’s true value.

Here’s a quick overview of some ways dental implants can be a good investment for patients dealing with tooth loss.

What Makes Dental Implants A Good Investment?

Dental implants can last a lifetime. Dental implants hold up well year after year when cared for properly.
Dental implants can improve oral health. There are risks to your gums and to the health of your remaining natural teeth with dentures or bridges. Implants reduce chances you’ll spend extra money resolving a gum infection or repairing teeth altered by bridge work.
Dental implants can improve your ability to chew. Denture-wearers may find the foods easiest to eat with dentures contain high amounts of calories, fat, and sugar. Poor nutrition leads to expensive (potentially deadly) medical issues. Implants allow a return to eating nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Dental implants can stop bone loss in your jaw. With loss of natural teeth, it’s possible to lose as much as 25 percent of the width of your jawbone in the first year. Because dental implants gradually integrate into your jaw, they provide stimulation to the bone similar to your natural teeth and can slow or halt bone deterioration.

“When I discuss the value of dental implants with patients, I remind them that the benefits of implants become obvious over time, often exceeding initial expectations,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our clinicians are delighted to discuss how dental implants may address your specific oral health challenges.”

Why the GentleWave Procedure Is The Best Option for Root Canal Therapy

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 6, 2024 | Blog, Endodontist, GentalWave, Root Canal

Like carpenters (or stock brokers), endodontists rely on tools of the trade to do their work. Members of both professions have plenty of tools to help them get the job done. Not all tools are created equal for specific tasks, however. Both a screwdriver and a hammer can be used to pound a nail into a board, but the hammer is the better-suited choice.

When performing root canals, endodontists now have a tool better than the metal files of old for cleaning tooth roots. Practitioners at Phoenix Endodontic Group now turn to the GentleWave system to perform root canals. Here’s a quick look at its advantages over traditional root canal tools.

Why GentleWave Beats Them All

The GentleWave System is minimally invasive. It uses multisonic wave pressure to move specially formulated fluid through your tooth roots. No scraping.
GentleWave can clean your root canals more completely than traditional tools. A cascade of bubbles moves like a whirlwind, descending then rising out of the canal. This flushes bacteria and biofilm from the tooth, no matter how complex the canal’s shape.
Most patients feel little or no pain during a GentleWave root canal. An ongoing clinical trial by dental technology provider Sonendo, Inc., reported that 99.5 percent of enrolled patients experienced no pain during a GentleWave root canal utilizing CleanFlow Technology.
Root canal treatment time is reduced when GentleFlow is used. Many root canal patients can now receive their treatment in a single session. (The necessary final crown will be placed in a later visit.)

“The GentleWave System has revolutionized how root canals are performed,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group. “It provides a faster, more complete cleaning of root canals with less discomfort. Because of this, we are confident GentleWave is the best option for most patients’ root canal therapy.”

Team Spotlight: Vivian Dionicio

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jan 23, 2024 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight

In the bustling world of endodontics, where precision and care are paramount, one individual stands out as part of the heartbeat of Phoenix Endodontic Group. Meet Vivian Dionicio, one of our practice dental Assistants, whose dedication and infectious enthusiasm make her an invaluable asset to our team. We are pleased to explore her role at Phoenix Endodontic Group and the unique qualities that define her in this Q&A.

Full Name: Vivian Dionicio

Job Title: Dental Assistant

What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: Greeting patients, assisting doctor with patients during treatment, keeping office running smoothly.

What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Friendly, Empathetic, Sincere.

Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: Licensed Esthetician.

First Job: Sonic Drive-In.

Do you have any hobbies?: Gym, Hiking, Bike Riding.

Favorite food: Chipotle.

Favorite book: The 5 Languages of Love.

Favorite movie: Selena, the movie.

Something on your bucket list: Travel to Greece, Hot Air Balloon.

Guilty pleasure: Chocolate, Frozen Yogurt

5 Things To Be Aware Of Before Your Root Canal Treatment

by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jan 3, 2024 | Blog, Root Canal

Preparation is like power tools – you can get things done without it, but why would you want to? Understanding what may happen when referred to an endodontist for root canal therapy can make the difference between approaching the experience with anxiety or with confidence, maybe even excitement (yes, really!).

Talk with your dental treatment team about the five aspects of root canal therapy listed below before your treatment is scheduled. Do, and you’ll be prepared for most parts of the procedure. You will also be ready to play an active part in your own healing.

5 Things You Should Know Before Root Canal Therapy Begins

1. If root canal therapy is the best choice for you. Your endodontist can provide a clear treatment plan for your failing natural tooth. They will perform a preliminary examination and discuss whether root canal therapy can save your tooth, or whether another option is a better fit.

2. Do you need to take antibiotics before your therapy begins? Many teeth needing root canals are infected from decay or injury. Your practitioner may prescribe oral antibiotics to fight any active infections.

3. Post-procedure instructions from your endodontist. You will go home with a sheet of instructions, including what foods to eat, how to care for your tooth after the root canal, and activities to avoid for the first few days.

4. What to do if you have pain after your root canal therapy. Root canals usually relieve pain rather than causing it. Sharp pain after a root canal may indicate more treatment is needed. Your endodontist will provide a number to call (both during and after working hours) if you experience pain and need to be examined immediately.

5. When to schedule follow-ups with your endodontist and dentist. Your specific damage and treatment may need a follow-up with your endodontist. Otherwise, once the tooth treated with root canal therapy has begun healing, you will visit your general dentist for a crown or other restoration atop your root canal, ensuring years of protection for your natural tooth.

“We equip our patients with the knowledge to feel comfortable and informed before root canal therapy,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontics Group. “Understanding what to expect improves healing and the procedure’s success.”

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